Cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer on Earth. Our team at Stony Brook University has developed a zero waste, energy efficient and simple nitro-oxidation process (NOP) that can extract nanostructured cellulose (nanocellulose) from any lignocellulosic biomass of diverse origins. There are three key advantages of the NOP approach. First, the method greatly reduces the consumption of chemicals, energy and water to extract nanocellulose, as NOP combines the steps of pulping (delignification) and cellulose oxidation (i.e., anionic surface charge modification that facilitates fiber nanofibrillation). Second, the NOP effluent can be efficaciously neutralized to produce plant fertilizers (liquid or solid), eliminating the need for chemical recovery. Third, the resulting nanocellulose is an effective water purification medium (membrane or adsorbent) that can treat a wide range of water pollution, as well as a gelation scaffold that can replace soil for crop growth or enhance soil to remediate drought/desertification. The use of NOP to upcycle underutilized biomass (e.g., agricultural residues, recycled paper) can provide new circular solutions to enhance the nexus of food, energy and water systems, along with many far-reaching impacts to mitigate the pressing climate-change crisis.

New circular solutions for the Nexus of food, energy and water by nanocellulose technologies

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.