Influence of pretreatment and mechanical nanofibrillation energy on properties of nanofibers from Aspen cellulose

Abstract The characteristics of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) depend on many factors such as the raw material, type and intensity pre-treatment, severity mechanical defibrillation process. relationship among is complex but crucial in determining final, fit-for-use CNF properties. This study aims to find between properties morphology, aspect ratio, nanofibrillation yield, transmittance cationic demand, production process using bleached Aspen thermomechanical pulp material. Five different types pretreatments were carried out five intensities high-pressure homogenization evaluated. Pretreatments were: PFI refining at 20,000 revolutions, enzymatic hydrolysis with 80 240 g enzyme per ton dry TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl)–mediated oxidation 5 15 mmol NaClO gram pulp. From twenty-five procedures evaluated, results show that both pretreatment determined fibrillation yield morphology. Moreover, main CNFs (cationic ratio) can be estimated from carboxylic content pretreated pulp, which would facilitate control their tuning according needs.