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Cellulose Chemistry Lab (Isogai Special Lab)
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A lab that explores the fundamentals and applications of cellulose through chemistry and structural analysis.
AboutAbout the lab
Exploring cellulose through chemistry and structural analysis
The Cellulose Chemistry Lab studies the structure and functions of cellulose, the main component of plants.
Cellulose is a renewable resource made from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and it is the most abundant biomass (biological resource) stored on Earth.
Using chemistry and structural analysis as its methods, the lab carries out basic research on cellulose as well as applied research aimed at its advanced utilization.
In particular, the lab works on producing fibers and nanofibers from cellulose by a method called TEMPO-catalyzed oxidation.
Key terms
- TEMPO-catalyzed oxidation
- A method that uses a compound called TEMPO as a catalyst to oxidize only specific positions on the surface of cellulose
- Carboxyl group
- A group of atoms with acidic properties. In water it carries a negative charge and mixes easily with water
- Cellulose nanofiber
- A nano-sized fiber made by loosening cellulose, the main component of plants, into strands so thin that they cannot be seen with the naked eye
NewsLab news
Paper on the oxidation of cellulose accepted by Carbohydrate Polymers
Paper on oil palm empty fruit bunches published in Biomass and Bioenergy
Paper on polyglucuronic acid published in Carbohydrate Polymers
Paper on the chemical structures of metasequoia and bamboo accepted by Journal of Wood Chemistry and Technology
Paper on a new TEMPO oxidation method published in Carbohydrate Polymers
ResearchResearch themes
Using chemistry and structural analysis as its methods, the lab carries out basic research on the structure and functions of cellulose, as well as applied research aimed at its advanced utilization. Through chemical treatments such as TEMPO-catalyzed oxidation, the lab produces cellulose fibers and nanofibers and investigates their structures and properties.
*Illustrative imageNanofibers rich in carboxyl groups
The lab studies an environmentally friendly method in which wood cellulose is oxidized in water using a catalyst, producing fibers and nanofibers that contain many carboxyl groups.
*Illustrative imageWater-soluble polyglucuronic acid
Water-insoluble glucans such as starch are converted into water-soluble sodium polyglucuronate by catalytic oxidation that does not use NaBr. It can be used as an easily degradable ingredient in laundry detergents.
*Illustrative imageNanofibers from oil palm bunches
Empty fruit bunches left over after the fruit is harvested from oil palms are treated with ozone or alkali and then subjected to TEMPO-catalyzed oxidation, yielding cellulose nanofibers of uniform shape.
*Illustrative imageTEMPO oxidation without NaBr
Conventional TEMPO oxidation had problems such as the cellulose molecules being cut into shorter chains. The lab has developed a new oxidation method that does not use NaBr, which suppresses the drop in molecular weight and also reduces the environmental burden.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Cellulose Chemistry Lab consist of faculty members, technical assistants, Project Postdoctoral Researchers, and PhD students (including PhD students who are working professionals).As of 2026
- Distinguished ProfessorAkira IsogaiPublications ↗
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Cotton boll nearly ready for harvest” Michael Bass-Deschenes(Commons User Mike Bass-Deschênes) / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Nanofibers rich in carboxyl groups: “Paper. Magnification power 2000x. 01” Nobody16w / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Water-soluble polyglucuronic acid: “Potato amyloplast granules observed at 200 magnification under a polarized microscope with interference plate inserted. Massimo Brizzi 2021” Massimo Brizzi / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Nanofibers from oil palm bunches: “Langkon Sabah Kilang-Kelapa-Sawit-Langkon-04” CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- TEMPO oxidation without NaBr: “Sample of TEMPO” Smokefoot / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (森林化学研究室): “Trametes versicolor 2025 G1” George Chernilevsky / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (木材化学研究室): “Pine log cross-sections, Teutendorf” Radomianin / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (製紙科学研究室): “Nanocellulose” Innventia / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (高分子材料学研究室): “BiodegradablePlasticUtensils2” Scott Bauer / Public domain (cropped)
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