Synthesis of Cellulose Nanocrystals/HKUST-1 Composites and Their Applications: Crystal Violet Removal and Doxorubicin Loading

This study developed a novel composite material containing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and HKUST-1. Here, the addition of CNCs was used to enhance the characteristics of HKUST-1 in terms of surface area, adsorption ability, and functional groups. Here, the fabrication of CNCs@HKUST-1 composites was carried out by adding CNCs into the fabrication process of HKUST-1. The addition of CNCs provides additional functional groups on the surface of composite material which can be used to attach other organic compounds, such as in waste management and drug delivery systems. Here, CNCs@HKUST-1 composites were tested as a material for crystal violet (CV) removal and doxorubicin (DOX) loading. The removal capacity of CNCs@HKUST-1 composite towards CV molecules reached 1182.25 ± 27.74 mg/g, while the loading capacity for DOX drugs was around 1514.94 ± 11.67 mg/g. Both applications showed that CNCs@HKUST-1 composite had higher adsorption capacity and ability compared to its precursor materials, i.e., CNCs and HKUST-1.