English Abstract

Preparation of Single Cellulose Nanofibers Dispersed in Water Using Aqueous Counter Collision Method

Tetsuo KONDO
Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
Nippon Gomu Kyokaishi,(2012),85(12),400-405 General Review in Japanese

Recently, the authors proposed aqueous counter collision (= ACC) method to allow bio-based materials to be downsized into nano-objects only using a pair of high speeded water jets as the medium without chemical modification of molecules including depolymerization. In this ACC system, an aqueous suspension containing micro-seized samples, which are pre-divided into a pair of facing nozzles, are supposed to collide with each other at a high rate, resulting in wet and rapid pulverization of the samples into nano-scaled objects dispersed in water. The obtained materials are more downsized by repeating the collision and increasing in the ejecting pressure. In particular, width of the ACCtreated objects was controlled as desired on the nanoscales, resulting in preferable larger specific surface areas. The fibers thus prepared are expected to exhibit unique morphological properties including change of the crystalline form.
In this review, the author will describe a general introduction of ACC method, and then an example of the ACC method for microbial cellulose pellicle produced by Gluconacetobacter xylinus to provide the characteristic single cellulose nanofibers having a high adsorptivity including alteration of crystalline phases. The properties can open up further pathways into versatile applications such as unique composite materials and coating agents.

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