The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Cloud seeding, which induces precipitation by nucleating ice crystals, faces growing demand for materials that are both efficient and sustainable amid the climate crisis. Among potential candidates, cellulose emerges as a promising material due to its intrinsic crystallinity and eco-friendliness; however, its ice nucleation ability (INA) remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigate how the size, shape, and crystallinity of cellulose influence its INA. Cellullose crystals with controlled dimensions and morphologies, from spherical to rod-like, were prepared via acid hydrolysis. Crystallinity was tuned by varying hydrolysis conditions, enabling a systematic study of its role in INA. To evaluate INA, we used the droplet freezing method in a Peltier-type cooling chamber, recording the number of frozen droplets versus temperature under controlled conditions. Our results demonstrate cellulose's potential as a seeding material and provide a framework for lab-scale INA assessment.