Mayra Elizabeth Juárez Méndez

Dr. Mayra Elizabeth Juárez Méndez


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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19 February 2025 in Polymers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MMMayra Elizabeth Juárez Méndez
Mayra Elizabeth Juárez Méndez
DRDiana Palma Ramírez
Diana Palma Ramírez
DGDavid S. Garcia-Zaleta
David S. Garcia-Zaleta
KNKaren Ailed Neri-Espinoza
Karen Ailed Neri-Espinoza
ALACELA LOPEZ-BENITEZ
ACELA LOPEZ-BENITEZ
HWHelen Willcock
Helen Willcock
Although crystalline nanocellulose (CNCs) can be extracted from different resources, the employed pretreatments, which disrupt the inter- and intramolecular physical interactions, depend on the biomass sources. This study aims to valorize Aloe Vera (AV) rinds into cellulose and crystalline nanocellulose (CNC) employing two approaches during hydrolysis: sulfuric acid (CNCSA) and citric acid (CNCCA) after 30, 60, and 90 min of reaction. The effects of pretreatments and hydrolysis time on the functional groups and hydrogen bonding in biomass are discussed. Crystalline structure (polymorph type), crystallinity, thermal stability, morphology, particle size, and metal presence are also analyzed. A transformation from type I into II polymorph was achieved, where the intermolecular interactions governing cellulose were increased in CNCSA and were almost maintained in CNCCA. Properties based on the structure, thermal properties, particle size, and metal presence indicate that the CNCSA30 and CNCCA90 samples displayed potential application as reinforcement agents for other types of polymers having no more melting points of 160 and 220 °C, respectively.