Synthesis of Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibrils

α-Cellulose
powder (C8002), glycidyl
trimethylammonium chloride (GTMAC, ≥90%), 0.1 M AgNO₃ aqueous solution (≥95%), calcofluor white stain (18909),
Nile red (NR), sodium hydroxide pellets (≥98%), and hydrochloric
acid (EMPLURA 32%) were purchased from Merck, U.K. and used as received.
Pure sunflower oil made from 100% sunflower seeds was purchased from
TESCO UK (pack size: 3 L). Ultrapure DI water (18.2 MΩ cm)
was used for all dilutions and sample preparation. Oxidized cellulose
nanofibrils (OCNFs) as a ca. 8 wt % solids paste in water with a degree
of oxidation degree of 25% were prepared via 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy
(TEMPO)-mediated oxidation as previously reported.^{28 (link),29 (link)}