Production of nanocrystalline cellulose from lignocellulosic biomass: Technology and applications

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 94; no. 1; pp. 154 - 169
• Main Authors: Brinchi, L., Cotana, F., Fortunati, E., Kenny, J.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 15.04.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animals; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; biopolymers; Cellulose; Cellulose - chemistry; Cellulose - isolation & purification; Cellulose and derivatives; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Humans; industrial applications; Lignin - chemistry; Lignin - isolation & purification; lignocellulose; Lignocellulosic biomass; mechanical properties; Nanocellulose; Nanocomposites; nanocrystals; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanotechnology; Natural polymers; petroleum; Physicochemistry of polymers; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - isolation & purification; polymer nanocomposites; Solid Phase Extraction - methods; Use of agricultural and forest wastes. Biomass use, bioconversion; Nanocellulose; Nanocomposites; Lignocellulosic biomass; Nanotechnology; Cellulose; Physical separation; Delignification; Chemical isolation; Lignocellulosics; Review; Biomass; Physicochemical properties
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.01.033

► This work provides an up-to date review on methods for extraction of NCC. ► A special focus is devoted to the use of lignocellulosic biomass as starting material. ► Opportunities of NCC-based materials for the future are presented and discussed. ► Challenges and obstacles remaining for a wider use of NCC are discussed. The use of renewables materials for industrial applications is becoming impellent due to the increasing demand of alternatives to scarce and unrenewable petroleum supplies. In this regard, nanocrystalline cellulose, NCC, derived from cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer, is one of the most promising materials. NCC has unique features, interesting for the development of new materials: the abundance of the source cellulose, its renewability and environmentally benign nature, its mechanical properties and its nano-scaled dimensions open a wide range of possible properties to be discovered. One of the most promising uses of NCC is in polymer matrix nanocomposites, because it can provide a significant reinforcement. This review provides an overview on this emerging nanomaterial, focusing on extraction procedures, especially from lignocellulosic biomass, and on technological developments and applications of NCC-based materials. Challenges and future opportunities of NCC-based materials will be are discussed as well as obstacles remaining for their large use.