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Journal of Materials Science and Nanotechnology | Volume 2

October 29-30, 2018 | London, UK

Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology

International Conference on

Cheap, green and clean high quality nanocellulose from seaweed

Mark Dorris

Edinburgh Napier University, UK

ypically, nanocellulose in the form of cellulose nanofibrils

(CNF) is derived from higher plants via acid hydrolysis

and/or mechanical disruption. The production processes

involved limit the use of this material in high value biomedical

applications. Bacterially produced nanocellulose is considered

a suitable alternative for biomedical use. Both methods involve

time-consuming and energy and labour-intensive processes.

Edinburgh Napier University has developed a method to derive

high quality CNF from the macroalgae (seaweed) species

Laminaria hyperborea which is at least an order of magnitude

lower in energy requirements than existing processes. The

material produced has been fully characterized and is similar

in many aspects to bacterially produced CNF, namely in terms

of high aspect ratio, increased water retention, homogeneity,

and purity of product. This process is also much faster than

existing methods, with seaweed to CNF conversion time

measured in hours rather than weeks, and it uses no harsh

chemicals. Also,

Laminaria hyperborea

is higher in cellulose

content than other

Laminaria

species and it is estimated that

a sustainable harvest could potentially deliver up to 50,000

metric tons of cellulose per year for Scotland alone. Novel

applications for this abundant sourceof CNF shouldbeexplored.