Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) draw significant interest due to their abundance, high specific strength and modulus, low cost. However, major challenge of the utilizing cellulose nanocrystals as advanced materials is their tendency to form bundles or aggregates especially with organic solvents or matrices. Many attempts have been made to improve the dispersion of the cellulose nanocystals by surface modification and/or addition of surfactants. We are investigating ability of carbohydrates-based bolaamphiphiles(bolaforms) to disperse cellulose nanocrystals in organic solvent. Glycal-based C12 bolaforms are synthesized using iodine catalyzed Ferrier reaction. CNCs obtained from acid hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose. The CNC suspension in water and/or organic solvent was reacted with bolaform. The dry bolaform-modified CNCs were obtained after dialysis and lyophilization. Morphology, surface chemistry, size distribution, and dispersion in water and organic solvents were explored.
展开▼
