Cellulose Light Interactions - Relationship between Refractive Index and Surface Chemistry of Cellulose Nanocrystals

Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC, CNCs) are a new type of biomass based nanomaterials derived from cellulose which is the most abundant biopolymer on Earth. Therefore, there is a need to have a defined and suitable battery of analytical methods to characterize their properties. Refractive index is an important parameter to describe CNC properties for analytical efforts and applications as well. However, refractive index of CNC is not conclusively reported. Therefore, this thesis is devoted in elucidating the refractive index on CNCs in suspension. In order to demonstrate relationship of CNCs suspension concentration and refractive index, refractive index of diluted CNC suspensions under different concentrations was quantified. Meanwhile, on the purpose of studying the relationship between CNCs and surface properties, periodate oxidation and desulfation were adopted to alter surface physico-chemical properties of CNC suspensions, and their refractive index and refractive index increment evolution was monitored. Based on the results of experiments, potential applications are discussed.