CO₂ controlled flocculation of microalgae using pH responsive cellulose nanocrystals.

Samuel Eyley, Dries Vandamme, Sanjaya Lama, Guy Van den Mooter, Koenraad Muylaert, Wim Thielemans

Index: Nanoscale 7 , 14413-21, (2015)

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Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals were grafted with imidazole functionalities up to DS 0.06 using a one-pot functionalization strategy. The resulting nanocrystals were shown to have a pH responsive surface charge which was found to be positive below pH 6 and negative above pH 7. These imidazolyl cellulose nanocrystals were tested for flocculation of Chlorella vulgaris using CO2 to induce flocculation. Up to 90% flocculation efficiency was achieved with 200 mg L(-1) dose. Furthermore, the modified cellulose nanocrystals showed good compatibility with the microalgae during cultivation, giving potential for the production of reversible flocculation systems.