Triticale crop residue: a cheap material for high performance nanofibrillated cellulose

Abstract

Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) from biomass has become a subject of intense research activity owing to its attributes of nanosized cellulose and sustainable character. However, efficient production of nanofibrillated cellulose is still challenging with respect to the energy required for the disintegration process. In this study, a triticale crop residue was used as a source for the production of nanofibrillated cellulose, with lateral size of 20–30 nm, using a high pressure homogenizer and a conventional high speed blender. The effects of the delignification mode, fiber pretreatment and disintegration mode on the yield of NFC, the morphology of the ensuing nanofibrils and the energy consumption were investigated. The evolution of the reinforcing potential of the NFC according to the production mode was also studied. By controlling the lignin extraction mode and the carboxyl content of the fibers through TEMPO-mediated oxidation, it was possible to convert triticale pulps into nanofibrillar cellulose with an energy demand as low as 11 kW h kg⁻¹ using a conventional high speed blender. This approach is expected to open the way toward easier and energetically cost-effective production of nanofibrillar cellulose from crop residues.