Effect of Mechanical Treatment of Eucalyptus Pulp on the Production of Nanocrystalline and Microcrystalline Cellulose

This study aimed to assess the effect of mechanical pretreatment on bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp fibers and investigate influence reaction time temperature properties yield nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) microcrystalline (MCC). Two types pulps were hydrolyzed, 1 (control, whole fibers) 2 (mechanically pretreated, disintegrated fibers). NCC MCC particles obtained by sulfuric acid hydrolysis (60% w/w) under different conditions (30–120 min) (45–55 °C). Physical treatment facilitated hydrolysis, resulting in higher yields compared with no pretreatment. The morphologic crystallinity index (CI) little affected from needle-shaped, mean diameters 6 4 nm, lengths 154 130 CI 74.6 76.8%, respectively. rod-shaped, 2.4 1.4 µm, 37 22 73.1 74.5%, Pulps their respective derivatives had a I crystalline structure.