Biocompatible microcrystalline cellulose particles from cotton wool and magnetization via a simple in situ co-precipitation method.

This investigation describes the preparation of magnetically doped degradable microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) nanocomposite particles with application potential in biotechnology, solid support for biomolecule/water purification, oil recovery from water and beyond. MCC was first extracted from cotton wool, the most abundant biocompatible polymer, by sulfuric acid hydrolysis and the effect of acid strength was examined. The size of the elongated fiber structure was reduced with increasing acid strength.