Abstract
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) isolated from bleached bagasse pulp were modified with a second-generation isocyanate dendron (G2-dendron) to prepare dendronized cellulose nanocrystals (DCN). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), elemental analysis for nitrogen, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 13C magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (13C MAS NMR) proved occurrence of the modification of cellulose nanocrystals surfaces. The dendronized cellulose nanocrystals were used as templates for formation of ZnS and CdS quantum dots with uniform diameter at low temperature in water. The prepared DCN/QDs were highly soluble in water. TEM images showed that the size of the prepared quantum dots was about 5 nm in diameter. UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopy showed absorption and emission at wavelength values lower than that reported for bulk ZnS and CdS.