Preparation of Self-supporting Bagasse Cellulose Nanofibrils Hydrogels Induced by Zinc Ions

Cellulose hydrogels are often prepared from native cellulose through a direct cellulose dissolution approach that often involves tedious process and solvent recovery problems. A self-supporting cellulose hydrogel was prepared by gelation of the TEMPO-oxidized bagasse cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) triggered by strong crosslinking between carboxylate groups and Zn(2+). TEMPO process was used to generate negatively charged carboxylate groups on CNF surface to provide a high binding capability to Zn(2+). Three TEMPO-oxidized CNFs of different carboxylate contents were prepared and characterized. TEM and AFM microscopes suggested that the sizes of CNFs were fined down and carboxylated cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNFs) of 5–10 nm wide, 200–500 nm long, and carboxylate contents 0.73–1.29 mmol/g were obtained. The final structures and compressive strength of hydrogels were primarily influenced by interfibril Zn(2+)-carboxylate interactions, following the order of TOCNFs concentration > content of carboxylate groups > concentration of zinc ions. A CO(2) sensitive self-supporting cellulose hydrogel was developed as a colorimetric indicator of food spoilage for intelligent food packaging applications.