Ultrafast and energy-saving extraction of cellulose nanocrystals

Abstract

As a gift of natural resource, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have shown great prospects in various industrial applications. However, their green synthesis in a highly efficient and energy-saving way is still challenging. Herein, we present a green, energy-saving, and high-efficiency way to extract CNCs by NaOH granule-activated ammonium persulfate (APS) oxidation. There are multiple synergistic effects among APS, NaOH and cellulose raw materials on promoting the decomposition of APS to form a large amount of SO₄˙⁻, which can hydrolyze a disordered region and thus release the crystalline part of cellulose sources. Of particular note, with the addition of NaOH solid granules rather than solution, the dissolution heat of NaOH can be efficiently utilized to accelerate the preparation process, thereby reducing the energy consumption in the process of CNC isolation. This rapid and energy-saving strategy should find favor in the industrial production and application of CNCs.