Influence of reaction variables on the surface chemistry of cellulose nanofibers derived from palm oil empty fruit bunches

• Published in: RSC advances Vol. 13; no. 51; pp. 36117 - 36129
• Main Authors: Martínez-Ramírez, Andrea P, Rincón-Ortiz, Sergio A, Baldovino-Medrano, Víctor G, Blanco-Tirado, Cristian, Combariza, Marianny Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Royal Society of Chemistry 08.12.2023; The Royal Society of Chemistry
• Subjects: Agricultural wastes; Biomass; Cellulose; Cellulose fibers; Charge density; Chemistry; Computed tomography; Nanofibers; Nanomaterials; Oxidation; Oxidizing agents; Palm oil; Photoelectrons; Pretreatment; Raw materials; Reaction time; Statistical analysis; Surface charge; Surface chemistry; Vegetable oils; Waste disposal; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/d3ra06933h

Nanocellulose, a versatile nanomaterial with a wide range of applications, is gaining significant attention for its sustainable and eco-friendly properties. In this study, we investigate the influence of reaction variables on the surface chemistry of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCN) from palm oil empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers, a high cellulose content biomass. Reaction time, primary oxidizing agent, and a pretreatment process affect, to various extents, the surface chemistry of EFB-TOCN. Conductometric titrations (CT), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and statistical analysis indicate a positive and significant influence of reaction time and primary oxidizing agent on EBF-TOCN degree of oxidation and surface charge density. Partial EFB delignification increased EFB-TOCN oxidation and reaction yield compared to EFB without pretreatment. Interestingly, only reaction time has a significant effect on the EFB-TOCN hydrodynamic radii, with a reaction time of over 120 minutes required to obtain nanocellulose less than 100 nm in size. Utilizing palm oil residual biomass for nanocellulose extraction not only valorizes agricultural waste but also enhances the palm oil industry's economic prospects by reducing waste disposal costs and improving material circularity. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on nanocellulose production from renewable sources and highlights the potential of palm oil EFB fibers as a valuable raw material for sustainable nanomaterial development. Nanocellulose from palm oil empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers shows varied surface chemistry influenced by reaction time and primary oxidizing agent. EFB fibers are a valuable raw source to produce sustainable and functional materials.