Preparation and characterization of regenerated cellulose microspheres and the adsorption of pectinase

Abstract

Porous cellulose beads were prepared through a simple, facile, and inexpensive method. The resultant microspheres exhibited good spherical shape with a diameter of 1 to 2 mm. Their morphology, pore structure, and physical properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and nitrogen adsorption. The regenerated cellulose was shown by scanning electron microscopy images to have a three-dimensional porous structure, which led to a BET surface area as large as 108 m2/g. These qualities make the beads potentially useful as adsorbents or carriers. The beads remained in the cellulose I structure. Finally, the cellulose beads were tested for the adsorption of pectinase; adsorption was a favorable spontaneous process. Moreover, adsorption was in agreement with the Langmuir isotherm with a capacity of 7.40 mg/g, signifying that pectinase adsorption was a monolayer sorption. Adsorption followed an intraparticle diffusion kinetic model, indicating that intraparticle diffusion was the rate-controlling mechanism. This information will aid in the potential utilization of regenerated cellulose microspheres as supports for pectinase.