Valorization of nanocellulose from bael (Aegle marmelos correa) fruit waste shells: Surface chemistry and morphological analysis

In this work, the waste shells of bael (Aegle marmelos correa) were utilised as a source of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). The extracted CNCs were characterized using a series of characterization techniques. The Infrared spectroscopy technique is used for the synthesis process and chemical analysis. The X-ray diffraction peak deconvolution method (area method) shows the crystallinity index (C.I. %) of CNCs is 71 %, while 67 % by Segal's method (intensity method). The average diameter calculated by ImageJ software for AFM (Atomic force microscope) is 47.97 +/- 2.50 nm while 23.25 +/- 2.50 nm and 44.81 +/- 2.50 nm from TEM (Transmission electron microscope) and SEM (Scanning electron microscope) image analysis. The zeta potential count of isolated CNC-BS is -25.72 mV, confirming the CNC-BS suspension's stability. Very good thermal stability (>225 degrees C) was confirmed by thermal analysis. The high specific surface area of cellulose nanocrystals (205.5 +/- 0.20 m(2)/g) was confirmed by BET analysis.