A comparative study of cellulose nanofibrils disintegrated via multiple processing approaches

Yan Qing; Ronald C. Sabo; Junyong Zhu; Umesh P. Agarwal; Zhiyong Cai; Yiqiang Wu

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.04.086

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A comparative study of cellulose nanofibrils disintegrated via multiple processing approaches

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Yan Qing, Ronald C. Sabo, Junyong Zhu, Umesh P. Agarwal, Zhiyong Cai, Yiqiang Wu

Year:

2013

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Forest Products Laboratory

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.04.086

Source:

Carbohydrate Polymers, Volume 97, 2013; pp. 226-234.

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Abstract

Various cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) created by refining and microfluidization, in combination withenzymatic or 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) oxidized pretreatment were compared. Themorphological properties, degree of polymerization, and crystallinity for the obtained nanofibrils, aswell as physical and mechanical properties of the corresponding films were evaluated. Compared torefining, intense microfluidization contributed greater separation of nanofibril bundles, which led to anenhancement of mechanical strength and transparency for the resultant film. The selected enzymaticpre-treatments produced shortened fibers due to preferential hydrolysis of amorphous cellulose and,in combination with mechanical treatments, resulted in short and stiff cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-like materials. Despite films from these CNC-like fibrils having inferior tensile strength, their tensile modulus and transparency were significantly improved compared to CNFs prepared without pre-treatment.The unique fiber morphology and high crystallinity potentially offer a green and ecologically friendlyalternative for the preparation of CNCs and CNFs as part of an integrated biorefinery approach.

Keywords

Cellulose nanofibrils, Refining, Microfluidization, Enzymatic and chemical pretreatments

Citation

Qing, Yan; Sabo, Ronald; Zhu, J.Y.; Agarwal, Umesh; Cai, Zhiyong; Wu, Yiqiang. 2013. A comparative study of cellulose nanofibrils disintegrated via multiple processing approaches. Carbohydrate Polymers. 97: 226-234.