Investigation of the Structural Properties of Nanocellulose Membranes Derived From Agricultural Waste
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: In this article, the structural properties of nanocellulose membranes obtained from agricultural waste were studied. Alfalfa and oat straw were used as raw materials for membrane production. The extraction process included the following stages: alkaline and acid treatment and a bleaching process to remove lignin and hemicellulose components from the plant biomass. The obtained cellulose was mechanically dispersed to form nanosized suspensions, and nanocellulose membranes were prepared by solvent casting. Various modifiers were introduced into the nanocellulose matrix to change the structural characteristics of the membranes. Copper nanoparticles were added to the alfalfa-based membranes, and graphene was added to the oat-based membranes. The structural features of the obtained composites were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The IR analysis confirmed that the main functional groups characteristic of cellulose were preserved in all studied samples. After modification, significant changes in the intensity of the hydroxyl group absorption bands can be observed from the spectra, which indicate changes in intermolecular interactions and hydrogen bonds within the cellulose matrix. Changes in the regions corresponding to C–O–C and β-glycosidic bonds indicated structural changes caused by the incorporation of graphene and copper nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed diffraction peaks characteristic of the crystalline structure of cellulose in all membranes. However, nanomodified samples showed changes in peak intensity and crystallographic order compared to untreated cellulose membranes. The decrease in diffraction peak intensity indicated partial disruption of ordered crystalline regions and changes in the supramolecular structure of cellulose after the incorporation of nanoparticles. The study revealed that the nanomodification process contributes to changes in the molecular and crystal structure of nanocellulose membranes obtained from agro-waste. The results of the study indicate that the obtained materials have high potential for use in the creation of environmentally safe functional biocomposites and membrane systems.
Source: SERIES CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY
Authors: A. S. Darmenbayeva, R. Rajasekharan
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7214700379