Fabrication and Characterization of Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose Nanoparticles from Eichhornia crassipes Stem

This study presents an innovative method for extracting sodium carboxymethyl cellulose nanoparticles (Na-CMC NPs) from the lignocellulosic biomass of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). The process consists of two major stages: cellulose extraction and Na-CMC synthesis, followed by nanoparticle precipitation. Structural analysis confirmed the success of the extraction process, with X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealing a semi-crystalline structure with a high degree of crystallinity (81 ± 1) % and nanoparticle sizes (11–40) nm. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and NMR spectroscopy verified the substitution pattern and molecular structure. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) identified four distinct decomposition stages, indicating good thermal stability. For the first time, the dielectric properties of Na CMC NPs derived from water hyacinth were thoroughly investigated revealing a correlated barrier hopping (CBH) conduction mechanism with a relaxation activation energy of 0.12 ± 0.05 eV. Morphological characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the formation of nanoparticles with diameters ranging from (50–200) nm. The yield of Na-CMC NPs was 62 ± 3%, with a degree of substitution of 0.68. These findings highlight the potential of converting an invasive species into a functional biopolymer nanomaterial with tunable properties for potential applications in electronics, packaging, or as a sustainable polymer matrix. The work establishes a foundation for further exploration of Na-CMC NPs in specific industrial applications.