In this study, α-cellulose was extracted from lignocellulosic simpor leaf residue as a sustainable alternative to conventional cellulose sources. The extraction process involved the removal of hemicellulose, lignin, and other phytocompounds using alkali (NaOH) treatment and bleaching with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was isolated from α-cellulose using sulfuric acid hydrolysis treatment followed by ultrasonication. The extracted α-cellulose and isolated NCC were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The obtained results confirmed that the extracted NCC exhibited characteristic cellulose functional groups and a crystallinity index of 64.7%, indicating the effective removal of amorphous regions through sulfuric acid hydrolysis. The thermal stability of the extracted cellulose increased to 332 °C due to the elimination of extractives. DLS analysis showed that the extracted NCC exhibited high colloidal stability in polar solvents, characterized by a zeta potential of −70.8 mV and an average particle size of 251.7 nm. This study highlights an environmentally friendly approach for converting low-value biomass waste into high-value cellulose materials with potential applications in sustainable packaging, biomedical applications and composite reinforcement.

Carbon-based nanocomposites have attracted significant attention due to their unique properties and potential for use in various technological applications. In this study, experimental investigations were conducted to determine the spectral properties of carbon-containing nanocomposite polymer films based on polystyrene (PS) with fullerene C60 nanoadditives. The results indicate that the incorporation of fullerene nanoparticles into the PS matrix enhances the optical properties of the material. Specifically, the optical density of the samples increases, the absorption coefficient increases, and the width of the bandgap decreases with an increase in carbon additive concentration. These findings suggest that fullerene-based nanocomposites are promising materials for optoelectronic and nanotechnological applications. The results of this work contribute to the growing body of research on carbon-based nanocomposites and their potential for use in a range of fields, including electronics, energy storage, and sensing applications. The enhanced optical properties of fullerene-based nanocomposites suggest that they may be particularly useful for developing novel optoelectronic devices and sensors. Overall, this study highlights the potential of fullerene-based nanocomposites as a versatile and promising material platform for various technological applications.