A comparative study of microrheology of nanocellulose produced from corn stover using diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS) and mechanical rheometry

Authors: Xu, Jingyuan - James; Boddu, Veera; Liu, Sean; LIU, WEN-CHING - University Of Illinois

Submitted to: Cellulose Chemistry and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/16/2019
Publication Date: 2/10/2020
Citation: Xu, J., Boddu, V.M., Liu, S.X., Liu, W.-C. 2020. A comparative study of microrheology of nanocellulose produced from corn stover using diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS) and mechanical rheometry. Cellulose Chemistry and Technology. 54(1-2):27-32. https://doi.org/10.35812/CelluloseChemTechnol.2020.54.03.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35812/CelluloseChemTechnol.2020.54.03

Interpretive Summary: Nanocellulose was produced in our laboratory using waste corn stover. The physical properties of nanocellulose depend on the source and preparation process. The present study compares the rheological flow properties of corn stover nanocellulose (CSNC) using two measurement techniques: (1) diffusing-wave spectroscopy (DWS) and (2) conventional mechanical rheometry. The results of this research provide an insight into the physical properties of CSNC in solution. It is also shows that DWS is a powerful tool for studying the flow properties of food systems. In addition, DWS also facilitates the development of other applications using nanocellulose.

Technical Abstract: Agricultural waste corn stover has very little value, but can be a good, renewable, biodegradable and inexpensive source to produce value-added products such as cellulose and nanocellulose. The properties and functions of cellulose and nanocellulose depend closely on the cellulose source and preparation process. The microrheology of corn stover nanocellulose (CSNC) solutions were investigated by the novel technique diffusing-wave spectroscopy (DWS). By comparing the mean-square displacement (MSD) of the microbeads imbedded in five concentrations of CSNC solutions, we found that the solutions exhibited a slight degree of heterogeneity at a lower concentration of 0.25%, while the material displayed a clear degree of heterogeneity at higher concentrations. The DWS microrheology measurements were in excellent agreement with the conventional mechanical rheological studies for CSNC. The magnitude of high-frequency viscoelastic moduli for the CSNC can be correlated with the power law, which represents the semi-flexible polymer behavior. The identified properties of the CSNC will provide useful information for utilizing this kind of nanocellulose.