Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Nanoscience
Nicole Nazario Bayon - Norfolk State University
Co-Author(s): Aida Prybylski, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA; Prathima Prabhu Tumkur, Norfolk State Univesity, Norfolk, VA; Joseph C. Hall, Ph.D., Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA; Govindarajan T. Ramesh, Ph.D., Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
Cellulose is a polymer that provides shape and maintains integrity of plant cells. It is comprised of several repeating units of glucose molecule connected by β-1,4 glycosidic linkage. It has exceptional properties such as low density, high strength and biodegradability. Since it is easily found in plants, it makes cellulose a cheap and renewable source for various applications. In present study, nanocellulose was synthesized from microcellulose using acid hydrolysis method. The synthesized nanocellulose was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) Spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy. Biocompatibility studies were carried out using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and Live/Dead Cell Assay. The synthesized material was light weight and white powder. The preliminary characterization experiments show that, most of the microcellulose was converted to nanocellulose. The material synthesized was around 500 nm in size, and biocompatibility studies revealed the material is safe and nontoxic. Future work includes further characterization using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-Ray Powder Diffraction Analysis (XRD), synthesis of uniform cellulose nanoparticles, and applications in energy storage and biomedical devices.
Not SubmittedFunder Acknowledgement(s): NSF-CREST
Faculty Advisor: Govindarajan T. Ramesh, gtramesh@nsu.edu
Role: Synthesis, characterization, and biocompatibility studies of nanocellulose.