Surface Modification of Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) to Form a Biocompatible, Stable, and Hydrophilic Substrate for MRI

• Main Authors: Whba F., Mohamed F., Idris M.I., Yahya M.S.
• Other Authors: 57219308028
• Format: Article
• Published: MDPI 2024
• Subjects: acid hydrolysis; cellulose nanocrystals; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); microcrystalline cellulose; MTT assay; particle size

This study focused on surface modification of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to create a biocompatible, stable, and hydrophilic substrate suitable for use as a coating agent to develop a dual-contrast composite material. The CNCs were prepared using acid hydrolysis. Hydrolysis was completed using 64% sulfuric acid at 45 �C for 1 h, which was combined with polyethylene glycol and sodium hydroxide (PEG/NaOH). The yield of samples exhibited prominent physicochemical properties. Zeta (?) potential analysis showed that the CNCs sample had excellent colloidal stability with a highly negative surface charge. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis confirmed that the CNCs sample had a rod-like morphology. On the other hand, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis showed that the acid hydrolysis process caused a significant reduction in particle size and changed surface morphology. In addition, cellulose nanocrystals with polyethylene glycol and sodium hydroxide (CNCs-PEG/NaOH) have many noteworthy properties such as colloidal stability, small hydrodynamic size, and water dispersibility. Furthermore, the MTT assay test on Hep G2 cells demonstrated good biocompatibility of the CNCs-PEG/NaOH and did not exhibit any cytotoxic effects. Hence, CNCs-PEG/NaOH holds the potential to serve as a dual-contrast agent for MRI techniques and other biomedical applications. � 2023 by the authors.