Enhanced nanocellulose extraction from date palm waste: green solvent hydrolysis with transition metal complex

Abstract

Abstract This study presents a novel method for nanocellulose production using [Bmim]Cl as a green solvent, with enhanced hydrolysis efficiency achieved through the addition of a transition metal complex as a catalyst. The redox capability of the transition metal complex to break the glycosidic bonds in cellulose is amplified by the addition of an oxidizing agent. This protocol represents the latest innovation in the field of nanocellulose production, resulting in improved yield and reduced particle size. Nanocellulose (NC) was extracted from date seeds using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [Bmim]Cl coupled with a transition metal complex comprising copper metal and pyridine as a ligand along with $${\text{H}}_{2}{\text{O}}_{2}$$ H 2 O 2 as an oxidizing agent. Unlike conventional [Bmim]Cl hydrolysis, which typically yields only microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), this approach resulted in a 25% higher yield of NC than that of MCC. Dynamic light scattering analysis showed a substantial reduction in hydrodiameter from 1200 nm for MCC to 128.7 nm for NC, highlighting the remarkable efficiency of this process. Thermal analysis demonstrated the high stability of NC, which showed a $${T}_{onset}$$ T onset of 286 °C and an activation energy ( $${E}_{a}$$ E a ) of 220.41 kJ/mol. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that NC possessed a high degree of crystallinity ( $${C}_{rl}=$$ C rl = 70.28%). Furthermore, NC underwent modification with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane to replace free hydroxyl groups (–OH), making it redispersal and suitable for various applications. This modification was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which showed the presence of characteristic functional groups, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, which verified the elemental composition. Zeta potential measurements revealed surface charge differences, with MCC at − 27.87 mV, NC at − 27.28 mV, and modified NC at − 44.72 mV, indicating improved colloidal stability after modification. These findings highlight the protocol's effectiveness and its potential impact on the NC production industry, offering improved yields and the production of nanosized fibers using green solvents.

Keywords

• Nanocellulose
• Microcrystalline cellulose
• Copper metal complex
• Date seeds
• 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [Bmim]Cl