Autofluorescence spectroscopy for quantitative analysis of cellulose nanocrystals. Issue 45 (31st October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johns, Marcus A.; Abu-Namous, Jude; Zhao, Hongying; Gattrell, Michael; Lockhart, James; Cranston, Emily D.
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 14:Issue 45(2022)
• Page Start: 16883
• Page End: 16892
• Publication Date: 2022-10-31
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/d2nr04823j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : Cluster-triggered emission autofluorescence spectroscopy enables the simultaneous characterisation of multiple cellulose nanocrystal properties without need for chemical addition, nor modification. Abstract : The ability to determine the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles, such as cellulose nanocrystals, in suspension is critically important to maximize their potential. Currently, various techniques are required to ascertain different properties, which results in a laborious analysis procedure. Here, autofluorescence arising from the cluster-triggered emission (CTE) photoluminescence mechanism is utilized as an analytical spectroscopic tool to determine multiple properties from one data acquisition sequence. This study confirms that key properties – including the nanoparticle concentration in suspension, the critical concentration for liquid crystal formation, and the surface charge content – can be obtained simultaneously. Measured values are accurate to within 10% of conventional techniques with average residual errors of 0.4 wt% for the critical concentration, and 11 mmol kg −1 CNC for the surface charge content. This charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor-based methodology is rapid and does not require the addition of further chemicals. These results support the theory behind CTE and represent a new opportunity for quantitatively analysing non-aromatic, heteroatom-containing nanoparticles in flow based on understanding their inter- and intra-particle interactions.