Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: Materials Science
Session: 3
Room: Park Tower 8216
Prathima Prabhu Tumkur - Norfolk State University
Co-Author(s): Nicole Nazario Bayón, Norfolk State University, VA; Krishnan Prabhakaran, Norfolk State University, VA; Joseph C Hall, Norfolk State University, VA; and Govindarajan T Ramesh, Norfolk State University, VA
Cellulose nanoparticle has gained importance among the researchers in the past few years due to its unique characteristics such as reinforcement properties, high tensile strength, and excellent thermal and electrical properties. There is a need for large scale production of cellulose nanoparticles at low cost for various commercial applications. In the present study, cellulose nanoparticles were synthesized by acid hydrolysis from waste cotton. Further, cellulose nanoparticles were characterized to determine the morphology and purity of the material. Characterization of cellulose nanoparticles was performed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Biocompatibility studies of cellulose nanoparticles were carried out by MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay, Live/Dead viability assay and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) assay. Range of the average size of cellulose nanoparticles was found to be around 100-200nm by FESEM and TEM analysis. FTIR spectrum showed the characteristic peaks representing the formation of cellulose nanoparticles from cotton. MTT assay, Live/Dead viability assay and ROS assay showed no significant induction of cell death even at higher concentrations (100 μg) upon exposure to Human lung epithelial cells. Hence the obtained results revealed that the synthesized cellulose nanoparticles could be used in various applications such as energy storage devices, enzyme immobilization, antimicrobial and medical materials, green catalysis, bio-sensing, and controlled drug delivery.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): This work was funded by NSF-CREST grant.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ramesh Govindarajan, gtramesh@nsu.edu
Role: Synthesis and characterization of the cellulose nanoparticles.