Direct and Indirect Cationization of Cellulose Nanocrystals: Structure-Properties Relationship and Virus Capture...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Growing public concern over hygiene drives demand for effective antimicrobial and antiviral agents.
• Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are explored as sustainable platforms for developing novel functional materials.
• Chemical modification of CNCs offers a route to introduce specific properties, such as antiviral activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop biobased virucidal and virus capture agents by chemically modifying cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs).
• To investigate the effects of direct and indirect graft polymerization of poly(2-dimethylamino) ethyl acrylate) methyl chloride quaternary salt (Q-PDMAEA) on CNC properties and antiviral activity.

Main Methods:

• Surface modification of CNCs via direct and indirect graft polymerization with Q-PDMAEA.
• Characterization of modified CNCs, assessing degree of functionalization, thermal stability, and crystallinity.
• Evaluation of virus capture efficacy against bacteriophages PhiX174 (ΦX174) and MS2.

Main Results:

• Indirect cationization yielded higher polymer grafting, increased particle size, and enhanced thermal stability.
• Modified CNCs achieved a significant reduction (>4.19 log10) in total viral load.
• Antiviral activity was dependent on functional group structure, surface charge density, and virus type.

Conclusions:

• Direct and indirect cationization of CNCs creates effective biobased agents with immobilized cationic charges for virus capture.
• These functionalized CNCs show promise for applications in textiles, packaging, and wastewater treatment.
• The study highlights the potential of tailored CNC modifications for developing advanced hygiene solutions.