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The effect of pre-treatment on the production of lignocellulosic nanofibers and their application as a reinforcing agent in paper

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Abstract

In this work, three different lignocellulosic nanofibers (LCNF) were produced from unbleached wheat straw soda pulp by using different pre-treatments: mechanical, enzymatic, and TEMPO [(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl) oxy radical]-mediated oxidation processes. The different LCNF were characterized and studied by their chemical composition (FTIR), crystal structure (XRD), thermal degradation behaviour (TGA), morphological (TEM), and their reinforcement effect on papermaking slurries. The pre-treatment used to obtain LCNF showed significant differences on the nanofibrillation yield (37–95%), carboxyl content (74–362 µmol g−1), cationic demand (428–1116 µeq g−1), and on its dimensions (7–14 nm), thermal stability, and structure. Regarding application as reinforcement on papermaking slurries, LCNF obtained by TEMPO-mediated oxidation produced a greater reinforcing effect than the other LCNF. Nevertheless, the obtained LCNF from mechanical process produce a similar increase in the mechanical properties of the papersheets due to its high length, compared with LCNF obtained by TEMPO-mediated oxidation.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Spain’s DGICyT, MICINN for funding this research within the framework of the Projects CTQ2013-46804-C2-2-R and supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education through the National Program FPU (Grant Number FPU14/02278), and also to the staff of the Central Service for Research Support (SCAI) at the University of Córdoba.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Science, University of Córdoba, Building Marie-Curie, Campus of Rabanales, 14014, Córdoba, Spain

    Eduardo Espinosa, Juan Domínguez-Robles, Rafael Sánchez & Alejandro Rodríguez

  2. Group LEPAMAP, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Gerona, c/M. Aurèlia Campmany, no. 61, 17071, Gerona, Spain

    Quim Tarrés

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  1. Eduardo Espinosa
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  2. Juan Domínguez-Robles
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  3. Rafael Sánchez
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  4. Quim Tarrés
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  5. Alejandro Rodríguez
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Correspondence to Alejandro Rodríguez.

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Espinosa, E., Domínguez-Robles, J., Sánchez, R. et al. The effect of pre-treatment on the production of lignocellulosic nanofibers and their application as a reinforcing agent in paper. Cellulose 24, 2605–2618 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-017-1281-2

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