The invention relates to the field of
biopolymer materials, and particularly discloses a highly substituted carboxyl
cellulose nanocrystal and a preparation method thereof. The preparation method comprises the steps: dispersing
plant cellulose in deionized water, firstly oxidizing by using a TEMPO / NaClO / NaClO2 oxidation
system, then carrying out ultrasonic treatment, adding
periodate for oxidation, adding a
sodium chloride-
sodium chlorite-
hydrogen peroxide multi-element oxidant, carrying out stirring reaction at
room temperature, and finally carrying out heating treatment to obtain a final product. According to the method, carboxyl substitution is controlled in an amorphous region of
cellulose by adopting a step-by-step oxidation method, so that the
carboxylation substitution degree is improved, and then
chain scission is performed on the carboxylated cellulose in the amorphous region through thermal degradation, so that the hairy cellulose
nanocrystal with amorphous carboxylated cellulose at two ends is formed. The surface carboxyl content, the carboxyl substitution degree and the like of the
nanocellulose crystal are remarkably improved, the operation process is simple and convenient,
pollution is avoided, and large-scale popularization and production can be achieved.