2021 Volume 58 Issue 4 Pages 164-169
Mechanochemistry offers sustainable synthesis of the functionalized cellulose nanofiber (CNF). In this study, changes in the microstructure of the CNF aqueous sol by planetary ball milling were investigated in terms of its rheological behavior, crystallinity, and diameter distribution. The surface activity of the CNF was additionally characterized by a pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). A decreased thixotropy hysteresis loop observed in the 100 min−1-treated CNFs indicated a weaker interaction among the fibers, but still having a three-dimensional structure. 300 min−1 could collapse them. A decreased x-ray diffraction peak intensity observed in the 500-min−1-treated CNF could indicate a split in the fiber’s bundle as well as shredding. An increase in the wet surface area (SNMR) could indicate surface activity in the 500-min−1 milled CNF sol. Such newly formed hydroxyl groups can serve as effective reaction sites with, for example, the TiO2 precursor and perhaps favorably works to improve the photocatalytic performance.
