Sustainable inverse-volcanized Nanocomposite Based on Functionalized CNW and Sulphur in Molten State and its Antibacterial Properties

Cellulose nanowhisker is a low-cost and safe whisker-like bionanoparticle with unique properties which widely has been used for fabrication of various green nanocomposites and copolymers to moderate the dependence on petro-based plastics. In the current study, a new green Sulphur-rich nanocomposite was fabricated using invers-vulcanization of molten elemental Sulphur in presence of cellulose nanowhisker maleate for the first time. The Sulphur content of nanocomposites was varied in the range of 70–90%. Cellulose nanowhisker prepared from cotton linter through acid hydrolysis process and then reacted with maleic anhydride to introduce unsaturated functional groups on its surface. It was then used as macromonomer to stabilize poly Sulphur bi-radicals in molten state and led to formation of crosslinked structures. The successful preparation of nanocomposites was confirmed utilizing common spectroscopic techniques including FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, SEM, and XRD. The results showed that composite containing 80% sulphur (CNWMA/S80) was an amorphous compound with homogenous surface morphology completely different from S₈. Also, the nanocomposites were stable up to 300 ^οC. In addition, they showed antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Overall, the new Sulphur rich nanocomposites are green hybrid materials that can presented new promising avenue for sustainable polymeric materials as well as potential solution for environmental and health concerns related to abundantly available Sulphur as challenging raw material produced in petroleum and gas refining process.