The morphology, self-assembly, and host-guest properties of cellulose nanocrystals surface grafted with cholesterol.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were prepared using acid hydrolysis of cellulose fiber. The CNC modified topo-chemically by grafting of bulky cholesterol moieties which changed subsequent morphology, thermal behavior, lyotropic crystalline properties, and host-guest release behavior. Bond formation between the cellulose nanocrystals surfaces and cholesterol was confirmed by FT-IR and solid-state NMR. The product indicated strong hydrophobic characteristics with an ordered chiral nematic self-assembly. This novel biomaterials were exploited through uptake of folic acid as part of a preliminary host-guest system. The guest molecule released as a function of physiologically relevant pHs was examined.