Synthesis of Cellulose Based Nano-filaments Using Waste Cotton Fabric

Abstract

This study presents a sustainable approach for producing cellulose-based nanofilaments using waste cotton fabric as a raw material. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are isolated from waste cotton fabric by sulfuric acid hydrolysis followed by a number of treatments, such as centrifugation, dialysis and sonication. The isolated CNCs were dispersed into a 7%(w/v) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution in a concentration of 5 and 20 wt % and then electrospun at optimum voltage (20 kV), flow rate (0.5 mL/h) and collector-substrate distance (15 cm). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) clearly shows that continuous nanofibrous networks were successfully electrospun from a mixed solution, and fiber diameter ranges about 175 to 475 nm. Although, due to non-homogenous nature of waste derived cellulose, many defects and beads formed. FTIR analysis indicates that hydrogen bond was formed between PVA and CNC, and some residual chemical groups from textile finishing existed in CNCs and then Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum of electrospun films also showed these interactions, and then EDAX analysis confirms the predominance of carbon and oxygen. Hence, waste cotton fabric is identified to be a potential sustainable resource for production of nanocellulose.