This study aimed to characterize nanocellulose extracted from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) linters.
The nanocellulose was subjected to electronic microscopy, thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry, light
scattering, and contact angle. The properties of the nanocellulose are considerably different from the
linter. The acidic hydrolyses applied to extract the nanocrystals increased the crystallinity index and the
hydrophilicity and decreased the thermal stability. On average, the nanocrystals were 177 nm long and
12 nm wide, with an aspect ratio of 19 when measured by microscopy. The light scattering results were
coherent with the crystal dimensions. Cotton linter is a potential source of nanocellulose crystals, particularly
to be used in the production of hydrophilic nanocomposites. Extraction of nanocellulose from
raw cotton linter does not require pulping.