Preparation and characterization of lignin-containing nanofibrillated cellulose

Abstract

Lignin-containing nanofibrillated cellulose (LNFC) were prepared from p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TsOH) pretreated sugarcane bagasse (SCB) using either formic acid (FA) or hydrochloric acid (HCl) and high-pressure homogenization. The composition, morphology, dispersity, crystallinity, particle size, thermal stability, and hydrophobicity of LNFC treated with FA (F-LNFC) and HCl (H-LNFC) were compared via electron microscopy, an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), a thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), a Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR), and water contact angle (WCA) analysis. The results of morphology and dispersity testing showed that LNFC with uniform dispersion were successfully prepared using a homogeneous pressure of 30 MPa and the F-LNFC particles were more stable in an aqueous solution. The crystallinity of the LNFC was well maintained after homogenization. The TGA, FTIR, and WCA data indicated that F-LNFC had better thermal stability and were more hydrophobic than H-LNFC because FA could esterify cellulose. Improved dispersity and thermal stability and increased crystallinity and hydrophobicity of cellulose nanofibrils would enhance the performance of nanocomposite materials.