Bleaching-free, lignin-tolerant, high-yield production of nanocrystalline cellulose from lignocellulosic biomass

Zipeng Li; Di Xie; Weizhi Zhu; Hongjie Wang; Tulong Ouyang; Jianping Sun; Yiqiang Wu; Fangchao Cheng

iScience (Jan 2023)

Bleaching-free, lignin-tolerant, high-yield production of nanocrystalline cellulose from lignocellulosic biomass

Zipeng Li,
Di Xie,
Weizhi Zhu,
Hongjie Wang,
Tulong Ouyang,
Jianping Sun,
Yiqiang Wu,
Fangchao Cheng

Affiliations

Zipeng Li: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Nonferrous Metallic and Featured Materials, School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Di Xie: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Nonferrous Metallic and Featured Materials, School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Weizhi Zhu: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Nonferrous Metallic and Featured Materials, School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Hongjie Wang: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Nonferrous Metallic and Featured Materials, School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Tulong Ouyang: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Nonferrous Metallic and Featured Materials, School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Jianping Sun: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Nonferrous Metallic and Featured Materials, School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Yiqiang Wu: College of Material Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
Fangchao Cheng: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Nonferrous Metallic and Featured Materials, School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; College of Material Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China; Corresponding author

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 26, no. 1
p. 105771

Abstract

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Summary: Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) preparation in an integrated fractionation manner is expected to solve the problems of low yield and environmental impact in the traditional process. An integrated fractionation strategy for NCC production from wood was developed through catalytic biomass fractionation, the partial dissolution of cellulose-rich materials (CRMs) in aqueous tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide, and short-term ultrasonication. The presented process could tolerate a high CRM lignin content of 21.2 wt % and provide a high NCC yield of 76.6 wt % (34.3 wt % of the original biomass). The increase in the CRM lignin content decreased the NCC yield, facilitated the crystal transition of NCC from cellulose I to cellulose II, and showed no apparent effects on the NCC morphology. A partial/selective dissolution mechanism is proposed for the presented strategy. This study provided a promising efficient fractionation-based method toward comprehensive and high-value utilization of lignocellulosic biomass through effective delignification and high-yield NCC production.

Published in iScience

ISSN: 2589-0042 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Science
Website: http://www.cell.com/iscience/home

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