A novel approach for the preparation of nanocrystalline cellulose by using phosphotungstic acid
Yefei Liu1, Haisong Wang2, Guang Yu2
1CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-based Materials, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
Abstract:
In this work, a sustainable and green process to prepare nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) from bleached hardwood pulp was demonstrated. Rod-like nanocrystalline cellulose with the size of 15-40 nm in width and hundreds of nanometers in length was obtained through H3PW12O40 (HPW)-catalyzed hydrolysis of bleached pulp fibers under the mild reaction conditions. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the resulting NCC exhibited much higher thermal stability than the partially sulfated NCC (prepared by sulfuric acid). In addition, the concentrated HPW could be easily recovered and recycled through the extraction with diethyl ether, and the recovered HPW could be reused for several rounds of cellulose hydrolysis without activity lost. These fundamental studies are of crucial importance for the development and application of NCC products/NCC-based biomaterials with good thermal stability.
