Preparation of nanocellulose from Imperata brasiliensis grass using Taguchi method

Author(s)

Coelho de Carvalho Benini, Kelly Cristina ^[1] ; Cornelis Voorwald, Herman Jacobus ^[1] ; Hilario Cioffi, Maria Odila ^[1] ; Rezende, Mirabel Cerqueira ^[2] ; Arantes, Valdeir ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ Unesp, Sch Engn, Dept Mat & Technol, Fatigue & Aeronaut Mat Res Grp, BR-12516410 Guaratingueta, SP - Brazil

^[2] Unifesp Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencia & Tecnol, Sao Jose Campos, BR-12231280 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Lorena Sch Engn, Dept Biotechnol, Biocatalysis & Bioprod Lab, BR-12602810 Lorena, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Carbohydrate Polymers; v. 192, p. 337-346, JUL 15 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 14

Abstract

Cellulose nanoparticles (CNs) were prepared by acid hydrolysis of the cellulose pulp extracted from the Brazilian satintail (Imperata Brasiliensis) plant using a conventional and a total chlorine free method. Initially, a statistical design of experiment was carried out using Taguchi orthogonal array to study the hydrolysis parameters, and the main properties (crystallinity, thermal stability, morphology, and sizes) of the nanocellulose. X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were carried out to characterize the physical-chemical properties of the CNs obtained. Cellulose nanoparticles with diameter ranging from 10 to 60 nm and length between 150 and 250 nm were successfully obtained at sulfuric acid concentration of 64% (m/m), temperature 35 degrees C, reaction time 75 min, and a 1:20 (g/mL) pulp-to-solution ratio. Under this condition, the Imperata Brasiliensis CNs showed good stability in suspension, crystallinity index of 65%, and a cellulose degradation temperature of about 117 degrees C. Considering that these properties are similar to those of nanocelluloses from other lignocellulosics feedstocks, Imperata grass seems also to be a suitable source for nanocellulose production. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/02862-5 - NANOCEL - development of enzyme mixtures for the preparation of nanocelluloses by a biohibrid process
• Grantee: Valdeir Arantes
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/14153-8 - Nanocellulose/PHBV composites: microfibilated mats by electrospinning
• Grantee: Kelly Cristina Coelho de Carvalho Benini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate