Sustainable synthesis of amino-cellulose nanofibers for biomaterial platforms

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable materials has driven interest in harnessing renewable resources to develop advanced biomaterials. Cellulose nanofibers, derived from abundant natural reserves, offer excellent mechanical strength and thermal stability but lack inherent biofunctionality. This study presents a method that is green, cost-effective, and scalable to synthesize amino-cellulose nanofibers (A-CNFs) by grafting carboxyl groups and thereon amino groups onto cellulose, followed by ultrasonic nanofibrillation, resulting in ultrafine, lengthy A-CNF with enhanced mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity. Comparative analyses demonstrate that A-CNF scaffolds exhibit favorable biostability, pore connectivity, and mechanical integrity in tissue engineering applications. Biological assessments further indicate improved cell viability and reduced hemolysis, underscoring A-CNF’s potential as robust, biocompatible, and sustainable material platforms for biomedical use.