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Utilization of various lignocellulosic biomass for the production of nanocellulose: a comparative study

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Abstract

Nanocellulose was successfully extracted from five different lignocellulosic biomass sources viz. banana rachis, sisal, kapok, pineapple leaf and coir using a combination of chemical treatments such as alkaline treatment, bleaching and acid hydrolysis. The shape, size and surface properties of the nanocellulose generally depend on the source and hydrolysis conditions. A comparative study of the fundamental properties of raw material, bleached and nanocellulose was carried out by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, birefringence, X-ray diffraction, inverse gas chromatography and thermogravimetric analysis. Through the characterization of the nanocellulose obtained from different sources, the isolated nanocellulose showed an average diameter in the range of 10–25 nm, high crystallinity, high thermal stability and a great potential to be used with acid coupling agents due to a predominantly basic surface. This work provides an insight into the effective utilization of a variety of plant biomass as a potential source for nanocellulose extraction.

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Acknowledgments

L.A. Pothan is grateful to the University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India, for the Emeritus fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara, 690101, Kerala, India

    B. Deepa & Laly A. Pothan

  2. Robert H Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel

    Eldho Abraham

  3. Competence Centre in Exact Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, 9000-390, Funchal, Portugal

    Nereida Cordeiro & Marisa Faria

  4. Department of Surface Engineering, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Miran Mozetic

  5. Division of Materials Science, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87, Luleå, Sweden

    B. Deepa, Aji P. Mathew & Kristiina Oksman

  6. Department of Chemistry, C.M.S. College, Kottayam, 686001, Kerala, India

    B. Deepa, Sabu Thomas & Laly A. Pothan

Authors
  1. B. Deepa
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  2. Eldho Abraham
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  3. Nereida Cordeiro
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  4. Miran Mozetic
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  5. Aji P. Mathew
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  6. Kristiina Oksman
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  7. Marisa Faria
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  8. Sabu Thomas
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  9. Laly A. Pothan
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Correspondence to Laly A. Pothan.

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Deepa, B., Abraham, E., Cordeiro, N. et al. Utilization of various lignocellulosic biomass for the production of nanocellulose: a comparative study. Cellulose 22, 1075–1090 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-015-0554-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-015-0554-x

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