Cellulose nanocrystals are being investigated for use in a wide variety of applications. In many of these applications their surface chemistry is important for optimum performance and chemical modifications are even introduced specifically to control interactions. Accurate characterization of the nanocrystals’ surface functionality and reproducibility of the surface modifications is thus extremely important. In this presentation, I will present several approaches that we have developed to improve the reproducibility of surface modifications, to verify the degree of surface modification by quantitative cross-checking between different characterization techniques, and to advance XPS spectroscopy of organic substrates. I will further present several surface modifications that have been carried out in our research group that will exemplify the characterization enhancements we employ and which show the level of control that can be exerted on the reactivity of the cellulose nanocrystal surface by controlling the reaction conditions.

Surface chemistry and characterization of modified cellulose nanocrystals

251st National Meeting (2016)

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