Nanocellulose is a renewable nanocrystal, which can be used for composite, food, medical, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, oil recovery, and paper products. Nanocellulose is usually prepared from wood pulp. Gamma-valerolactone (GVL) is a green solvent, which can be easily recovered and has been recommended for biorefinery for renewable fuels and chemicals production. It can also be used for organosolv pulping.We prepared organosolv pulp from white birch chips, using GVL-water mixture as solvent and sulfuric acid as catalyst. The effects of temperature, cooking time, and solvent composition were all studied. The properties of organosolv pulp including yield, kappa number (lignin content), and viscosity (degree of polymerization) were analyzed, showing that the pulp produced may be converted into paper pulp or be upgraded to nanocellulose. Pulp prepared under optimal conditions were bleached and used for nanocellulose production via TEMPO-mediated oxidization. Kraft pulp was also used as raw materials for nanocellulose production, as the control. The effects of pulp concentration, TEMPO dosage, and reaction time were studied. The properties of nanocellulose including yield, size, viscosity (degree of polymerization), and crystallinity were analyzed. The results showed that this process can be a qualifying process for nanocellulose production.

Nanocellulose production <i>via</i> green solvent pulping at low temperature and TEMPO-mediated oxidization

251st National Meeting (2016)

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Nanocellulose production via green solvent pulping at low temperature and TEMPO-mediated oxidization