Extraction of Cellulose Nanoparticles via Modified Thermochemical Processes from Agricultural Wastes

Abstract

Agricultural waste is a critical environmental problem and a major challenge facing environmental pollution. Cellulose extraction from agricultural (wheat straw) wastes is a motivating, sustainable source, and environmentally friendly alternative. In the present investigation, the bleaching process, a thermochemical treatment, was used to treat the agricultural wastes to produce nanocellulose to reduce its negative environmental effects. The first step of the extraction process begins with removing contaminants, waxes, and other extracts from wheat straw with an alkaline treatment. The second step is the bleaching process with NaClO, followed by treatment with different concentrations of H2SO4 and NaOH. All the products were characterized using Scanning X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Electron Microscope (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR). The results showed that cellulose production had an average diameter of 45.06, 56.75, and 30.66 nm when extracted with 40, 50, and 60% H2SO4 concentrations. Also, the XRD and FT-IR results confirm the high purity of the produced cellulose nanoparticles (CNPs).