Isolation and characterization of nanocrystalline cellulose from corn husk

• Corn husk can be used to produce nanocrystalline cellulose (NC).
• Reaction time-H2SO4/fiber ratio synergism affected the CrI of NC.
• Reaction time influenced the particle size of NC.
• Reaction time influenced the thermal stability of NC.
• There is a relationship between thermal stability and particle size of the NC.

This study aimed at investigating the influence of the “reaction time” and the “fiber/acid ratio” on the properties of nanocrystalline cellulose isolated from corn husk, which was chosen because it is abundant and so far it has not been extensively investigated as a raw-material option to produce nanocrystalline cellulose. The results showed that corn husk can be used to produce nanocrystalline cellulose and also that reaction time affected the crystallinity index, particle size and thermal stability of the products. Additionally, an interaction between the reaction time and fiber/acid ratio on the crystallinity degree was observed. When dried by a spray-drying technique, the nanocrystalline cellulose aqueous dispersion produced agglomerates of particles with spherical and irregular shapes.