Isolation and Characterization of Cellulose Micro/Nanofibrils from Douglas Fir

Journal Article · Thu Mar 15 04:00:00 EDT 2018 · Journal of Polymers and the Environment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/S10924-017-1013-6· OSTI ID:22791379

Zhu, Rui ^[1]; Yadama, Vikram ^[2]

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1. Xinxiu New Materials Co., Ltd. (United States)
2. Washington State University, Composite Materials and Engineering Center (United States)

Cellulose micro/nanofibrils were successfully extracted from softwood Douglas fir in three distinct stages. Initially raw Douglas fir wood chips were subjected to a hot water extraction (HWE) treatment. Then HWE treated cellulosic fibers underwent a bleaching process followed by a mild ultrasonication. Chemical composition analysis according to ASTM standards confirmed that most of hemicelluloses and nearly all lignin were removed during the first two stages, respectively. Microscopy studies showed formation of nanofibrils during the ultrasonication process, and increasing ultrasonication time led to generation of greater percentage of nanofibrils. With the removal of the matrix materials, the crystallinity of the cellulosic fibers was increased, whereas thermal stability was maintained. HWE opened up the cell wall structure, thereby facilitating the subsequent fractionation into micro/nanofibrils. The obtained cellulose micro/nanofibrils could serve as reinforcing material in composite products or raw material for other applications, such as filtration membrane.

• OSTI ID: 22791379
• Journal Information: Journal of Polymers and the Environment, Journal Name: Journal of Polymers and the Environment Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 26; ISSN 1566-2543
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CELLULOSE
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
EXTRACTION
FIBERS
FIRS
HEMICELLULOSE
HOT WATER
LIGNIN
MATRIX MATERIALS
NANOFIBERS