Acidic deep eutectic solvent assisted isolation of lignin containing nanocellulose from thermomechanical pulp. (1st November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Jungang; Carrillo-Enríquez, Nancy C.; Oguzlu, Hale; Han, Xushen; Bi, Ran; Saddler, Jack N.; Sun, Run-Cang; Jiang, Feng
• Is Part Of: Carbohydrate polymers. Volume 247(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11-01
• Subjects: Thermomechanical pulp (TMP) -- Lignin containing nanocellulose (LNC) -- Deep eutectic solvent (DES) -- Lignin nanoparticles -- Self-assembly -- Thermally stable; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 547.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116727
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8617

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Deep eutectic solvent can derive lignin containing nanocellulose (LNC) at 57 % yield. Lignin nanoparticles around 20−50 nm are evenly dispersed in LNC suspensions. LNC shows a ribbon-like structure with width of 7.1 nm and thickness of 3.7 nm. Self-assembled LNC fibers are fully covered with lignin and show autofluorescence. The LNC shows 55–61 % crystallinity and high thermal stability (Tmax=358°C). Abstract: Nanocellulose is a promising material but its isolation generally requires unrecyclable hazardous chemicals and high energy consumption and its overall yield is low due to the use of high purity cellulose as precursor. In order to overcome these shortcomings, in this study, thermomechanical pulp (TMP) was investigated as a precursor for isolating lignin containing nanocellulose (LNC) using an environmentally friendly acidic deep eutectic solvent (DES) pre-treatment. Flat "ribbon" like LNCs (around 7.1 nm wide, 3.7 nm thick) with uniformly distributed lignin nanoparticles of 20−50 nm in diameter were successfully obtained at 57 % yield under optimum pre-treatment conditions (90 °C, 6 h, 1:1 oxalic acid dihydrate to choline chloride ratio). The LNCs exhibit cellulose Iβ structure, high lignin content (32.6 %), and high thermal stability (Tmax of 358 °C). In general, green acidic DES pre-treatment has shown high efficiency in converting high lignin content biomass into value-added LNC, which benefits both lignocellulose utilization and environmental protection.