Highly efficient preparation of cellulose nanocrystals by mechano-enzymatic hydrolysis: a mechanism study

Abstract

A one-step mechano-enzymatic hydrolysis (MEH) method was developed to prepare cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) under liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) conditions. The mechanism of MEH to afford high yields of CNCs was elucidated and the rate constant of CNC production was 10 times higher than that of reducing sugar, which is significantly different from the solution hydrolysis. And the activities of endo-1,4-β-D-glucanase and exo-1,4-β-D-glucanase were mainly maintained and the activity of β-glucosidase was inhibited by mechanical force.