Biodegradation of Functionalized Nanocellulose

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c07253
• Publication Date: 2021-07-20T15:25:36Z
• Authors: Benjamin P. Frank; Casey Smith; Emily R. Caudill; Ronald S. Lankone; Katrina Carlin; Sarah Benware; Joel A. Pedersen; D. Howard Fairbro...
• Keywords: Nanocellulose; Surface Modification

Nanocellulose has attracted widespread interest for applications in materials science and biomedical engineering due to its natural abundance, desirable physicochemical properties, high intrinsic mineralizability (i.e., complete biodegradability). A common strategy increase dispersibility polymer matrices is modify the hydroxyl groups on nanocellulose through covalent functionalization, but such modification strategies may affect biodegradation properties exhibited by pristine nanocellulose. In this study, cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) functionalized with a range of esters, carboxylic acids, or ethers decreased rates extents mineralization anaerobic aerobic microbial communities compared unmodified CNFs, etherified CNFs exhibiting highest level recalcitrance. The biodegradability depended primarily degree substitution at surface material rather than within bulk. This dependence chemistry was attributed not only large area-to-volume ratio also prerequisite interaction microorganisms necessary achieve biodegradation. Results from study highlight need quantify type coverage substituents order anticipate their effects environmental persistence