Department of Biomaterial Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo.
Proc Jpn Acad Ser B Phys Biol Sci. 2018;94(4):161-179. doi: 10.2183/pjab.94.012.
Plant cellulose fibers of width and length ∼0.03 mm and ∼3 mm, respectively, can be completely converted to individual cellulose nanofibers of width and length ∼3 nm and ∼1 µm, respectively, by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation under aqueous conditions and subsequent gentle mechanical disintegration of the oxidized cellulose in water. The obtained TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNs) are new bio-based, crystalline nanomaterials with applications in the high-tech and commodity product industries. Sodium carboxylate groups, which are densely, regularly, and position-selectively present on the crystalline TOCN surfaces, can be efficiently ion-exchanged with other metal and alkylammonium carboxylate groups in water to control the biodegradable/stable and hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties of the TOCNs. TOCNs are therefore promising nanomaterials that can be prepared from the abundant wood biomass resources present in Japan. Increased production and use of TOCNs would stimulate a new material stream from forestry to industries, helping to establish a sustainable society based on wood biomass resources.
植物纤维素纤维的宽度和长度分别约为 0.03 毫米和 3 毫米，可以通过 2,2,6,6-四甲基哌啶-1-氧自由基（TEMPO）介导的氧化在水相条件下完全转化为各自宽度和长度分别约为 3 纳米和 1 微米的纤维素纳米纤维。随后，在水中对氧化纤维素进行温和的机械分散，得到的 TEMPO 氧化纤维素纳米纤维（TOCN）是新型基于生物的结晶纳米材料，可应用于高科技和商品产品行业。在结晶 TOCN 表面上，羧酸钠基团密集、规则且位置选择性地存在，可以在水中与其他金属和烷基铵羧酸盐基团进行有效离子交换，从而控制 TOCN 的可生物降解/稳定和亲水性/疏水性。因此，TOCN 是一种很有前途的纳米材料，可以从日本丰富的木材生物质资源中制备。增加 TOCN 的产量和使用将刺激从林业到工业的新材料流，有助于建立基于木材生物质资源的可持续社会。
