Sulfuric acid hydrolysis of wood pulp is a widely used method for the production of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Hydrolysis conditions that yield chiral-nematic CNC suspensions are generally associated with low yields. Milder hydrolysis conditions, giving greater yields, generally result in CNCs with lower surface charge or difficult to process gels. In a previous design of experiment study (Industrial Crops and Products 93 (2016) 76–87), using the Central Composite Design, we showed that yields of 66–69% can be obtained at a sulfuric acid concentration of 57–58 wt.%, a reaction time of 64–67 °C, and a reaction time of 134–156 min.  This paper will present additional insights into the effects of hydrolysis conditions on CNC yield and surface charge from a more recent optimization study, using the Box–Behnken Design.

Cellulose nanocrystal production by sulfuric acid hydrolysis of wood pulp: What are reasonable yields?

254th National Meeting (2017)

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