Alkaline treatment combined with enzymatic hydrolysis for efficient cellulose nanofibrils production

Cellulose nanofibrils were efficiently produced from eucalyptus fibers using a combined NaOH and enzymatic treatment followed by pilot scale grinding process. The structural changes of assessed after treatments at 5, 10 15 wt% concentrations. A progressive shift cellulose I to II crystalline structure was observed with X-ray diffraction (XRD) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). further hydrolysis improved for the treated samples. increase crystallinity indices due + 4.7 %, 3.5 +10.3 % samples respectively, DP values drastically reduced 340, 190 166 respectively. morphological analysis underlined an optimum combination hydrolysis. This process resulted in CNF rigid structure, diameters ranging 20 nm lengths between 150 350 nm. multi-scale enabled study impact this on properties energy consumption. decrease mechanical nanopapers alone compared alone, Young’s modulus 8.94, 4.84 11.21 GPa However, optical improved, transmittance 42.2, 15.4 7.1 new pretreatment can therefore lead tunable depending application, possible industrialization thanks reduction needs.