Integrated and sustainable preparation of functional nanocellulose via formic acid/choline chloride solvents pretreatment

Formic acid/choline chloride (F-DES), one of high-efficiency deep eutectic solvents (DES) for lignocellulose pretreatment, has great potential in the production nanocellulose (NC). In this work, integrated preparation cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and nanofibrils (CNFs) was developed using F-DES pretreatment following ball milling. Then, properties resultant NC products (F-NC) were comprehensively investigated. The samples obtained from direct milling urea/choline (U-DES) plus (i.e. B-NC, U-NC, accordingly) used comparison. Characterization results showed that similar to U-DES, could effectively enhance fibrillation facilitate NC, yields (CNCs CNFs) over 95%. Yet, compared with B-NC F-NC surface ester groups had better ability stabilize oil/water interface further oil-in-water Pickering emulsion. addition, lower viscosity than U-DES. recovery rate reached 92% after three cycles, recycled without obvious increase reusability make whole process clean sustainable.