Extraction and Characterization of Cellulose from New Zealand Algae Species
Algae-derived cellulose offers several advantages over plant-based cellulose,
including high crystallinity, unique morphological structures, high purity, and high thermal stability.
These properties make algae cellulose an attractive option for advanced material applications, especially in reinforcing polymers for
sustainable composite materials. With its unique properties and sustainable production,
algae cellulose holds great promise for use in environmentally friendly materials and applications.
In this project, I focused on the extraction and characterization of cellulose from four native New Zealand algae species commonly found in wastewater treatment ponds. The extraction process involved a series of bleaching, alkali, and acid hydrolysis treatments. The extracted cellulose was analyzed and compared in terms of yield, thermal properties, crystallinity, and morphological structure. A range of characterization techniques, including XRD, TGA, FTIR, HPLC, and SEM, were used to assess the physicochemical properties of the algae-derived cellulose.
Furthermore, the findings of this project laid the foundation for selecting a suitable algal species for subsequent production of CNF, to be integrated into thermoplastic polymers for developing composite materials.
I will be sharing images and additional findings from this project once it is published.