Comparison of Water Adsorption Properties of Cellulose and Cellulose Nanocrystals Studied by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Gravimetry

The adsorption properties of water molecules on cellulose and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), isolated from defatted rice bran (DRB) by 55% sulfuric acid hydrolysis under sonication were investigated. The powdered samples of cellulose and CNCs were analysed by using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and gravimetry at 38% and 55% humidities. Small amounts of samples were dried under vacuum at 120°C and the NIR spectra of the dry samples and their spectra during the adsorption water molecules were measured by using an NIR spectrometer equipped with a transflectance accessory and a DTGS detector. The quantitative adsorption of water molecules by the samples was determined by gravimetry. Second a…