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Microcrystalline cellulose property–structure effects in high-pressure fluidization: microfibril characteristics

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Abstract

The raw material properties and characteristics of four different microfibrillated celluloses (MFCs) produced by microfluidizing were investigated. The cellulose materials were never-dried and dried microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a commercial MCC, and an enzymatic-mechanically treated softwood sulfite pulp. The study comprises extensive initial and final physical, structural, and molecular-level analyses. The results indicated that raw material properties related to both fibril aggregation, structural compaction levels and geometric heterogeneity and interaction levels essentially affected both the process and the final MFC properties. The increase in specific surface area (SSA) was minor for the enzymatic-mechanically treated raw material, while MCC showed a larger increase of several orders of magnitude in SSA. The drying of particulate MCC was reflected both in improved fibrillation efficiency and in the final MFC properties, primarily observed as enhanced SSA, in fibril dimensions and in gel strength. The feed consistency (7.5 %) applicable with dried, particulate MCC in fluidization was more than any of those hitherto reported. The study indicated that MCC can facilitate energy-efficient MFC production with the application of fluidization technology.

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the valuable laboratory assistance provided by Anu Anttila and Timo Hartus (Aalto University), as well as by Tiina Anttila and Tytti Larinoja (Kemira Oyj, R&D and Technology). Gratitude is also expressed for the general contribution and ideas of Veli-Matti Vuorenpalo (Kemira Oyj R&D and Technology) as well as the Rheocompass software support provided by Antti Kalanti (Anton Paar Nordic AB). Finally, the raw material provided by Domsjö Pulp Mill of the Aditya Birla Group, and the financial support by the Finnish National Technology Agency (Tekes) are gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Department of Forest Products Technology, Aalto University, PO Box 16300, 00076, Aalto, Espoo, Finland

    Kari Vanhatalo, Asko Koskimäki & Olli Dahl

  2. Kemira Oyj, Luoteisrinne 2, PO Box 44, 02271, Espoo, Finland

    Tom Lundin & Marcus Lillandt

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  1. Kari Vanhatalo
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Correspondence to Kari Vanhatalo.

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Vanhatalo, K., Lundin, T., Koskimäki, A. et al. Microcrystalline cellulose property–structure effects in high-pressure fluidization: microfibril characteristics. J Mater Sci 51, 6019–6034 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-016-9907-6

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