Modulation of cellulose nanocrystals amphiphilic properties to stabilize oil/water interface

Biomacromolecules. 2012 Jan 9;13(1):267-75. doi: 10.1021/bm201599j. Epub 2011 Dec 14.

Abstract

Neutral cellulose nanocrystals dispersed in water were shown in a previous work to stabilize oil/water interfaces and produce Pickering emulsions with outstanding stability, whereas sulfated nanocrystals obtained from cotton did not show interfacial properties. To develop a better understanding of the stabilization mechanism, amphiphilic properties of the nanocrystals were modulated by tuning the surface charge density to investigate emulsifying capability on two sources of cellulose: cotton linters (CCN) and bacterial cellulose (BCN). This charge adjustment made it possible to determine the conditions where a low surface charge density, below 0.03 e/nm(2), remains compatible with emulsification, as well as when assisted by charge screening regardless of the source. This study discusses this ability to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions for cellulose nanocrystals varying in crystalline allomorph, morphology, and hydrolysis processes related to the amphiphilic character of nonhydrophobized cellulose nanocrystal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cellulose / chemistry*
  • Cotton Fiber*
  • Emulsions / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Oils / chemistry*
  • Phase Transition*

Substances

  • Emulsions
  • Oils
  • Cellulose