Manipulation of surface carboxyl content on TEMPO-oxidized cellulose fibrils

Simple methods of conductometric titration and infrared spectroscopy were used to quantify the surface carboxyl content of cellulose fibrils isolated by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation. The effects of different cellulose sources, post or assisted-sonication oxidation treatment, and the amount of sodium hypochlorite addition on the carboxyl content of cellulose were reported. This study showed that post sonication treatment had no influence on the improvement of surface carboxyl charge of cellulose macrofibrils (CMFs). However, the carboxyl content increased for the isolated cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). Thus the carboxyl content of CNFs is different from those of their corresponding bulk oxidized cellulose and CMFs. Filter paper as a CNF source imparted a higher surface charge than did hardwood bleached kraft pulp (HWBKP) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). It was considered that the crystallinity and microstructure of the initial cellulose affected oxidation efficiency. In addition, the carboxyl content of cellulose was successfully controlled by applying sonication treatment during the oxidation reaction and adjusting the amount of sodium hypochlorite.