Cellulose Nanocrystals from Jackfruit Peel for Environmental Remediation

Date:13 November 2019

Country: India

Application

• Environmental Remediation: The cellulose nanocrystals (SCNCs) can be used in eco-friendly technologies for environmental cleanup and waste management.
• Nanocomposite Materials: SCNCs can be incorporated into various composites for high-strength, lightweight, and sustainable applications in industries such as packaging, textiles, and biomedical.

Description

This project focuses on isolating cellulose and spherical cellulose nanocrystals (SCNCs) from the non-edible jackfruit peel, a sustainable biomass. The cellulose was extracted using sodium chlorite treatment, followed by acid hydrolysis to produce SCNCs. The characterization included NMR, FTIR, XRD, and thermal analysis, confirming high crystallinity and purity. The study highlights the potential of jackfruit peel as a renewable source for valuable nanomaterials.

Pathway Description:

The process involved isolating cellulose from jackfruit peel using sodium chlorite treatment to remove lignin and hemicellulose. After bleaching, cellulose was purified through alkali treatment. Spherical cellulose nanocrystals (SCNCs) were then produced by hydrolyzing the cellulose with sulfuric acid. The resulting SCNCs were characterized using techniques like NMR, FTIR, XRD, and thermal analysis.