Issue 4, 2016

Facile extraction of cellulose nanocrystals from wood using ethanol and peroxide solvothermal pretreatment followed by ultrasonic nanofibrillation

Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were successfully extracted from wood flour by a two-step process that comprised ethanol and peroxide solvothermal pretreatment and an ultrasonic disintegration process. Characterization results showed that 97% of the total lignin and 70% of the hemicellulose could be fractionated in a single ethanosolv pretreatment step. Additional treatment with alkaline hydrogen peroxide removed the residual lignin and hemicellulose and resulted in high purity cellulose. The CNCs obtained after ultrasonication displayed a similar yield, size, morphology, and crystallinity but had better thermal stability and film forming properties than those produced by concentrated acid hydrolysis. Overall, the solvothermal treatment using ethanol and its combination with peroxide is an ideal substitute method for pretreatment of lignocellulose. Further integration of such pretreatments with ultrasonication provides a promising efficient process with low environmental impact for production of CNCs.

Graphical abstract: Facile extraction of cellulose nanocrystals from wood using ethanol and peroxide solvothermal pretreatment followed by ultrasonic nanofibrillation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
26 Oct 2015
Accepted
30 Oct 2015
First published
03 Nov 2015

Green Chem., 2016,18, 1010-1018

Author version available

Facile extraction of cellulose nanocrystals from wood using ethanol and peroxide solvothermal pretreatment followed by ultrasonic nanofibrillation

Y. Li, Y. Liu, W. Chen, Q. Wang, Y. Liu, J. Li and H. Yu, Green Chem., 2016, 18, 1010 DOI: 10.1039/C5GC02576A

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