Method for manufacturing polymer-cellulose whisker composites
An environmentally friendly process synthesizes cellulose whiskers from cotton waste, enhancing their properties for use in fuel cell membranes through alkaline treatment and acid hydrolysis, achieving high yields and improved performance in proton-exchange membranes.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (DOST ITDI)
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for producing cellulose whiskers from cotton waste materials are not environmentally friendly and do not achieve high yields, limiting their application in high-performance composite materials for fuel cells.
A method involving alkaline treatment, acid hydrolysis, and sonication is used to synthesize cellulose whiskers from cotton waste, followed by polymer blending to create polymer-cellulose whisker composites, optimizing parameters like NaOH concentration, acid concentration, and reaction time for high yield and improved properties.
The method produces cellulose whiskers with enhanced hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, and thermal stability, suitable for proton-exchange membranes in fuel cells, offering improved sustainability and performance.
Smart Images

Figure 2026524570000001_ABST