Water-Soluble Cello-Oligomer Surfactants by Mechanocatalytic Conversion and Sustainable Modification of Cellulose

Abstract Surfactants are ubiquitous materials of high industrial and consumer relevance. Carbohydrate-derived surfactants, such as alkyl glucosides or sugar esters, represent more sustainable alternatives to fossil-based systems while maintaining competitive performance. Herein, we report an approach to fully bio-based surfactants derived from cellulose- and fatty acid-based feedstocks. By combining ball-mill-assisted mechanochemical depolymerization of cellulose with subsequent esterification, a versatile surfactant platform with tunable degree of substitution (DS), and thus properties, was established. The resulting amphiphiles exhibit critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) as low as 0.00614 mm indicating high efficiency, forming micellar populations with hydrodynamic diameters of 16–42 nm, as evidenced by dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. Performance studies demonstrated excellent emulsifying properties in oil-in-water systems, while cytotoxicity assays revealed comparable or improved cell compatibility relative to conventional alkyl glucosides. Overall, this work provides a sustainable and efficient strategy for the design of highly functional nonionic surfactants, bridging renewable feedstocks with tunable performances without compromising application-relevant properties.