Abstract
The high sulfuric acid concentration used in the hydrolysis of cellulose to isolate cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) leads to low yields due to the dissolution of both amorphous and semi-crystalline cellulose. The present study explored the use of steam explosion pretreatment before acid hydrolysis to enhance the crystallization of semi-crystalline/ non-crystalline cellulose and generating new CNC precursors with poplar wood as feedstock. The crystallinity of steam exploded poplar wood increased 1.3-fold compared to untreated poplar wood. Consequently, the overall yield of CNCs of steam exploded poplar wood increased 2.5-fold compared to untreated poplar wood. Moreover, the steam explosion pretreatment did not affect the quality of the CNCs with regard to the crystal size, crystallinity, and colloidal stability. Whereas the thermal stability of the CNCs increased due to the steam explosion pretreatment. This study demonstrates a simple and scalable pretreatment step that can significantly improve the CNCs yield from the acid hydrolysis step thereby improving the overall economics and commercial viability.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
