The development of materials from entirely biological sources is one of the key steps to a sustainable future for our societies. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) possess a wide application potential in fields thanks to their low cost, abundant, non-toxic, biodegradable, and impeccable physicochemical properties. However, CNCs are constituted by a neutral surface, with consequent poor colloidal stability in water. To overcome this challenge, TEMPO oxidation yielding carboxylation or sulfonation obtained by treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid are classically employed. Finding innovative eco-friendly ways to disperse nanocellulose is then highly in demand. This study explores the possibility of using bioamphiphiles with surface active properties (<i>biosurfactants</i>) as effective and efficient molecules to enhance the dispersion of unmodified CNCs. Biosurfactants are believed to feature a natural binding affinity to cellulose, thanks to their glycosidic unit. The comparison of CNCs’ colloidal stability by various numbers of conventional surfactants and biosurfactants is analyzed by static multiple light scattering (SMLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, and others. Preliminary results indicate that biosurfactants stabilize CNCs and help their dispersion in water, thus paving the way to a novel sustainable way to disperse CNCs in water.

Improving the colloidal stability of cellulose nanocrystals in aqueous media by biosurfactants

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