Nanocellulose fatty acid esters production and metal binding properties

In this thesis, nanofibers were obtained from plant sources (wheat bran, corncob, and sunflower receptacle) using a microfluidization technique, followed by optimization of their esterification with various fatty acids at different degrees. Characterization analyses of the resulting nanofiber-fatty acid esters were conducted, and the metal (Na+2, Mg+2, Ca+2 Cr+3, Ni+2, Cu+2, Zn+2, Cd+2 ve Pb+2) binding properties of corncob nanofiber-fatty acid esters were subsequently investigated. In the initial phase of the study, raw materials with high cellulose content were treated with NaOH, then processed through a colloid mill and microfluidizer to produce nanocellulose fibers. These nanofibers were then esterified with various fatty acids under different molar ratios of acid chlorides (3–15 mol) and durations (30–360 minutes) at 80°C. The analysis confirmed the success of the esterification process and showed a decrease in thermal stability of the derivatives as the degree of esterification increased. Additionally, the study revealed that the amount of metal bound to the nanofibers and their derivatives (mg/g) increased with the molecular weight of the metals present, and decreased with higher degrees of esterification. Among the fatty acids used in the esterification reaction, caproic acid esters exhibited the highest metal binding capacity, while stearic acid esters showed the least metal binding capacity.