Polyelectrolytes (PEs) with high water uptake prepared from cellulose-type polysaccharides are promising because of their excellent biodegradability. In this work, utilizing a two-step selective oxidation process a new type dicarboxylate nanocrystalline cellulose (DCNC) PE was prepared. Carboxylate units were introduced at the C-2 and C-3 positions of a glucose moiety to ensure the presence of a large number of dissociable electrolytic ions. It was observed that the equilibrium water uptake capacity of the prepared DCNC was almost ten times greater than that of conventional C-6 functionalized monocarboxylated nanocrystalline cellulose.
- Mohammad Motiur Rahman
- Abu Hasan Howlader
- Shakhawat H. Firoz
