The morphology, self-assembly, and host-guest properties of cellulose nanocrystals surface grafted with cholesterol

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were prepared using acid hydrolysis of cellulose fiber. The CNC modified topochemically by grafting of bulky cholesterol moieties which changed subsequent morphology, thermal behavior, lyotropic crystalline properties, and host-guest release behavior. Bond formation between the cellulose nanocrystals surfaces and cholesterol was confirmed by FT-IR and solid-state NMR. The product indicated strong hydrophobic characteristics with an ordered chiral nematic self-assembly. This novel biomaterials were exploited through uptake of folic acid as part of a preliminary host-guest system. The guest molecule released as a function of physiologically relevant pHs was examined.