Eco-Friendly Isolated Nanocellulose from Seaweed Biomass via Modified-Acid and Electron Beam Process for Biodegradable Polymer Composites

Abstract

Nanocellulose (NC) has emerged as a promising biodegradable material with applications in various industrial fields owing to its high mechanical strength, thermal stability, and eco-friendly properties. Traditional methods for isolating NC from wood-based biomass (WB) involve high energy consumption and extensive chemical usage, leading to environmental and sustainability concerns. This study explored an alternative approach to isolate NC from seaweed-based biomass (SB) (SNC), which contains fewer non-cellulosic components and a higher cellulose content than WB, thereby yielding a more efficient e-isolation process. We employed a combination of modified-acid solution and electron beam (E-beam) technology to isolate NC from SB. The E-beam process enhanced the crystallinity while reducing the particle size, thus facilitating NC isolation with reduced environmental impact and processing time. Moreover, our method significantly reduced the need for harsh chemical reagents and energy-intensive processes, which are typically associated with traditional NC isolation methods. We fabricated biodegradable films with improved mechanical properties using NC as a reinforcing agent in polymer composites, thereby demonstrating the potential of NC-based materials for various applications. Therefore, our proposed approach offers a sustainable and efficient method for NC isolation and serves as a guide for the development of eco-friendly industrial processes. Our findings contribute to ongoing efforts to create sustainable materials and reduce the environmental footprint of the manufacturing industry.