The Cellulose Nanocrystal (CNC) of dispersion condition is important factor when reinforce concrete or cement composite as CNC, because it is closely related to the strength reinforcement. Before the CNC is utilized to reinforcement of concrete or cement composite, it is essential to evaluate the dispersion properties. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the dispersion of CNC. In this experiment, the specimen was prepared to the type of CNC suspension in accordance with weight ratio of CNC and the dispersion time of sonication. The first property, the dispersion properties of CNC, was evaluated by measuring turbidity and absorbance. The second property, the dispersion stability, was measured through the sediment time.

As a renewable nanomaterial, cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) isolated from wood grants excellent mechanical properties in developing high performance nanocomposites. This study was undertaken to compare the reinforcing efficiency of two different CNCs, i.e., cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) from hardwood bleached kraft pulp (HW-BKP) as reinforcing agent in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based nanocomposite. The CNWs were isolated by sulfuric acid hydrolysis while the CNFs were isolated by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation. Based on measurements using transmission electron microscopy, the individual CNWs were about 6.96±0.87 nm wide and 178±55 nm long, while CNFs were 7.07±0.99 nm wide. The incorporation of CNWs and CNFs into the PVA matrix at 5% and 1% levels, respectively, resulted in the maximum tensile strength, indicating different efficiencies of these CNCs in the nanocomposites. Therefore, these results suggest a relationship between the reinforcing potential of CNCs and their physical characteristics, such as their morphology, dimensions, and aspect ratio.