000			03688ntm a2200337 i 4500
003			MY-KuUP
005			20251230161302.0
006			t||||fr|||| 000 0
007			ta
008			251230t20252025my a|||fr|||| 000 0 eng d
020			_aTHE0010193 (Local) _qHardback
040			_aUMPSA _beng _cUMPSA _erda
090			_aFTKKP .O39 2025 r Thesis
100	0		_aOkwuwa Chigozie Charity, _e
245	1	0	_aNanocellulose dissolution in deep eutectic solvent for carrageenan biocomposite reinforcement / _cOkwuwa Chigozie Charity
264		1	_aKuantan, Pahang : _bUMPSA, _c2025
264		4	_c© 2025
300			_axv, 161 pages : _billustrations (some color) ; _c30 cm. + _e1 CD-ROM.
336			_2rdacontent _atext
337			_2rdamedia _aunmediated
338			_2rdacarrier _avolume
347			_2rda _atext file _bPDF
500			_aFaculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology
502			_aThesis (Master of Science) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang – 2025
504			_aIncludes bibliographical references
520	3		_aCarrageenan, a widely used edible biopolymer, holds promise for hard capsule production in the pharmaceutical industry due to its gelling properties. However, its rough surface qualities, low thermal stability, and weak mechanical strength limit its industrial applicability. While incorporating cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) can enhance structural integrity, their strong hydrogen bonding network renders them insoluble in water, leading to poor dispersion and reduced mechanical performance. Conventional solvents for CNC dissolution pose environmental and economic concerns, necessitating the search for sustainable alternatives. This study aims to evaluate the dissolution of CNCs in deep eutectic solvents (DES) by varying the hydrogen bond donor (HBD), which was used to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of carrageenan-based biocomposites for pharmaceutical applications, particularly in hard capsule production. 0.2 g of CNCs were dissolved in 10 g of choline chloride-glycerol DES with varied hydrogen bond donor (HBD) ratios (1:1 to 1:4). The intermolecular interactions between CNC and DES were investigated using Gaussian 09W simulations and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. At the same time, the biocomposites mechanical and thermal properties were assessed through tensile strength, loop strength, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The findings reveal that a 1:3 HBD ratio optimally dissolved CNCs, significantly improving biocomposite properties. At this ratio, tensile strength increased to 102.04 MPa, and hard capsule loop strength reached 75.83 MPa, indicating enhanced mechanical performance. ¹H NMR analysis showed hydrogen bond disruption at H2 and H4, while XRD results confirmed a reduction in CNC crystallinity size to 1.26 nm, improving dispersion. FTIR spectra indicated intensified hydrogen bonding and TGA analysis demonstrated superior thermal stability, with biocomposites exhibiting a melting temperature of 245°C. These findings establish DES as a viable green solvent for CNC dissolution and highlight its potential to enhance carrageenan biocomposites for pharmaceutical applications, drug delivery systems, and sustainable material innovations. This research advances the development of eco-friendly, high-performance biomaterials, contributing to sustainability in the pharmaceutical and materials industries.
610	2	0	_aFaculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology _xDissertations
650		0	_aUniversities and colleges _xDissertations
650		0	_aTheses _xDissertations
942			_2lcc _cTHESIS
999			_c103812 _d103818