Title: Powder cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) from industrial waste offcut cotton textile for a new sustainable nanofiller

Biography:

Toshihiko Arita completed his doctorate in physical chemistry at Kyoto University in 2003. After his graduation of Kyoto University, he started physical chemistry of polymers in Goettingen University as a postdoc fellow. He also spent his days in Institute for Chemical Research of Kyoto University as a post doctoral fellow. Dr. Arita currently belongs to Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced materials of Tohoku University as an Assistant Professor from 2007. He have been mainly studying polymer-surface-functionalized fillers produced by Polymerzation with Particles (PwP) technique[4] invented by himself.

Abstract

Nano-sized cellulose has been collecting tremendous attention from polymer industry because of its environmentally friendly and sustainable nature as an industrial material. In addition, the physical properties such as superior physical strength, light density, and large aspect ratio of nano-cellulose are quite attractive for application as a novel reinforcing filler for polymers. Recently, we have developed a new procedure to obtain fine cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) powder preventing strong cornification on drying to form an irreversibly aggregated solid film by simple solvent exchanging from water to nonpolar organic solvent before homogenization of cellulose hydrolysate. In this study, we have studied more eco- and sustainability friendly raw material for CNC powder. That is offcut cotton textile, an industrial waste from shirts production.  Offcut cotton textile was acid hydrolysed by hydrochloric acid and obtained cellulose hydrolysate is immersed in toluene. A slurry-like suspension was obtained via a homogenization. After simple air-drying of the slurry, fine powder similar to degreased cotton was employed as a raw material was successfully obtained. The newly developed CNC powder can be sustainable, eco-friendly, promising nanofiller for polymers.