Estimation of the sulfur ester content of cellulose nanocrystals prepared by sulfuric acid hydrolysis: a reproducible and fast infrared method

A fast and reproducible method for estimating the sulfur ester content of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) prepared by a pilot plant (Alberta Innovates Technology Futures—Alberta, Canada) is discussed. CNCs from sulfuric acid hydrolysis form electrostatically stabilized suspensions because of the introduction of sulfate ester groups onto the surface of the crystallites during the chemical production. The surface charge of the crystals and indirectly the sulfur ester content has implications when considering several applications. In the past, tedious and time-consuming methods such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis have been used to estimate the sulfur content of CNCs. As of late, conductometric titrations have surpassed these techniques for estimating the sulfur content of CNC. In this communication, a technique is explored that is specific, fast, and reproducible across a number of samples for determining the quantity of C–O–S linkages in CNC samples. The method is based on integrating key peaks characteristic of sulfur functionalities obtained via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The samples were analyzed as obtained, and no time was needed for extra sample cleanup prior to analysis. Finally, good correlation was obtained between the results obtained for the different samples and comparable to the results obtained from the widely used conductometric method.