Decreasing the degree of polymerization of microcrystalline cellulose by mechanical impact and acid hydrolysis. (15th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thielemans, Karel; De Bondt, Yamina; Van den Bosch, Sander; Bautil, An; Roye, Chiara; Deneyer, Aron; Courtin, Christophe M.; Sels, Bert F.
• Is Part Of: Carbohydrate polymers. Volume 294(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10-15
• Subjects: LODP Levelling-off degree of polymerization -- SMCC Short-polymer microcrystalline cellulose; Microcrystalline cellulose -- Levelling-off degree of polymerization -- Acid hydrolysis -- Planetary ball mill -- Short insoluble cellulose polymers; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 547.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119764
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8617

Abstract

Abstract: Depolymerization of cellulose is often used as a (pre)treatment protocol within the catalytic valorization strategies of cellulose. Typical depolymerization protocols yield polymerization degrees above 70 anhydroglucose units (AGU). However, shorter cellulose fibers are of interest in the search for accessible dietary fiber additives or renewable materials with distinct mechanical properties (bio-composites). In this work, short-polymer microcrystalline celluloses (SMCC) with an average polymerization degree between 29 and 70 AGU were produced with material yields of 95 % and above by combining a planetary ball mill pretreatment with mild acid hydrolysis. By first decreasing the levelling–off degree of polymerization (LODP) with an intensive ball mill treatment, a mild acid hydrolysis protocol was sufficient to ensure high yields of SMCC. Furthermore, the desired polymerization degree could be obtained by tuning the process parameters. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image