Production and Characterization of Cellulose Nanofibers from Cow Dung Waste

Today, the use of synthetic polymers had been increased and this could produce adverse effects on the environment. So there is an emerging need to produce materials from natural polymers like cellulose. In this study, we produce nanocellulose in ecofriendly method for sustainable development of the environment. We focus on the conversion of excretory wastes into valuable nanocellulose. Cow dung- the abundant waste source of animal husbandry is utilized as the raw material for the production of cellulose nanofibers. Present study produces cellulose nanofibers through the following steps such as alkaline pretreatment, bleaching and 60% sulphuric acid hydrolysis. The produced nanocellulose shows the presence of cellulose peak in FTIR analysis and the crystallinity index of nanocellulose was found to be 56.8% via XRD results. The structural morphology and elemental composition of the raw material, cellulose and nanocellulose fibrils was observed through SEM-EDX. Zeta potential value of the nanocellulose was found to be -15.6mV. Thermal stability and Differential Thermal Analysis of the nanocellulose was determined through Thermogravimetric analysis.