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Updated: Dec 26, 2025
Fabrication of a Functionalized Magnetic Bacterial Nanocellulose with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Published on: May 26, 2016
Combining cobalt ferrite and graphite with cellulose nanocrystals for magnetically active and electrically conducting
Erlantz Lizundia1, Mikel Rincón-Iglesias2, Senentxu Lanceros-Méndez3
1Department of Graphic Design and Engineering Projects, Bilbao Faculty of Engineering, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, 48013, Spain; BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, UPV/EHU Science Park, 48940, Leioa, Spain; Laboratory for Multifunctional Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Free-standing mesoporous membranes based on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are fabricated upon the incorporation of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) and graphite nanoparticles at concentrations up to 20 wt % through a soft-templating process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms reveal the development of highly-porous interconnected random 3D structure with surface areas up to 193.9 m2 g-1. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows an enhanced thermal stability thanks to the formation of a tortuous network limiting the hindrance of degradation by-products. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) reveals a maximum magnetization saturation of 8.77 emu·g-1 with materials having either ferromagnetic or diamagnetic behaviour upon the incorporation of CoFe2O4 and graphite, respectively. Four-point-probe measurements display a maximum electrical conductivity of 9.26 ± 0.04 S·m-1 when graphite is incorporated into CNCs. A proof of concept for the applicability of synthesized nanohybrids for environmental remediation is provided, presenting the advantage of their easy recovery using external magnetic fields.
