Conclusions
The present work revealed that nanocellulose can be successfully isolated from a new, renewable, low-cost and abundant natural source, Gelidium elegans red algae biomass via alkalization, bleaching treatment and acid hydrolysis treatment. The physicochemical characterization results showed that the crystallinity index of isolated nanocellulose was 73% with an average fibrils diameter of 21.8 ± 11.1 nm and average length of 547.3 ± 23.7 nm. Thus, the corresponding aspect ratio of isolated nanocellulose was about 25.TGA study showed that the neutralized nanocellulose products exhibited in better thermal stability than the untreated and other chemically-treated fibers. Due to its high crystallinity and better thermal stability, the isolated Gelidium cellulose nanoparticle is a new source and has great potential for various applications such as reinforcement agent in nanocomposites manufacturing and nano-fillers for polymer matrices.