Abstract

A mild and efficient approach for the preparation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) was developed by using mixed H2SO4/Oxalic acid hydrolysis. In this process, the mixed acid of sulfuric acid, oxalic acid and H2O in an optimal mass ratio of 1:5:4 was used to produce CNCs from bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp (BEKP) at 80 °C for 2–5 h. The CNCs with a diameter range of 5–20 nm and a length range of 150–400 nm were obtained at a high yield (>70%) and showed excellent dispersion stability in water and good thermal stability. Moreover, the dosage of sulfuric acid can reduce to 2.4 g/g CNCs in this mixed acid hydrolysis, which is far lower than that of the typical 64% sulfuric acid hydrolysis (55 g/g CNCs, tested in this work). In addition, 91±2% of oxalic acid could be recovered by a simple recrystallization operation.

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 call

Disclaimer: 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.