Influence of radiolysis on the yield of nanocellulose from plant biomass

Abstract

Radiolysis of plant biomass with doses of 200-300 kGy prior to dispersing by chemimechanical methods increases the yield of nanocellulose from cellulosic feedstock by more than a factor of two. Another advantage of radiation pretreatment of initial samples is the effect of radiation sterilization of isolated nano cellulose hydrogels, whereas the hydrogel obtained without preliminary irradiation rapidly suffers from the attack of molds during storage in the laboratory. Photolysis of plant raw material at a wavelength of 253.7 nm has almost no effect on the yield of nanocellulose. The molecular and supramolecular structure of nanopar ticles with a size of 200-300 nm remains unchanged on passing to the nanoscale and corresponds to the mac romolecular structure of cellulose. Industrial testing of the hydrogel as an additive (2.5%) for an adhesive composite used in the manufacture of wood laminates (plywood) showed an enhancement of the strength characteristics of the products by 15-20%. The increase in strength is mainly due to an increase in the contact area of cohesive bonding through small coiled molecular entities composed of 10-16 Kuhn segments includ ing up to 28 monomer units each.

Production of Nanocellulose and Its Applications in Drug Delivery: A Critical Review

“…However, the production yield is very low (∼1.0%) indicating that the radiation treatment alone is insufficient for this purpose. 152 Therefore, researchers have coupled this technique with other mechanical or chemical techniques. For instance, Kuzina et al 152 increased the yield of nanocellulose production in an acid hydrolysis treatment from 34% to 75% with taking advantage of radiation techniques (at a dose of ∼200 kGy).…”

“…152 Therefore, researchers have coupled this technique with other mechanical or chemical techniques. For instance, Kuzina et al 152 increased the yield of nanocellulose production in an acid hydrolysis treatment from 34% to 75% with taking advantage of radiation techniques (at a dose of ∼200 kGy). Their finding also indicated that γ radiation penetrates into the bulk material, while the interaction of UV light with cellulose is more selective.…”

“…At high doses (200–300 kGy), radiation treatment could produce nanocellulose by the degradation of large fragments of macromolecules. However, the production yield is very low (∼1.0%) indicating that the radiation treatment alone is insufficient for this purpose . Therefore, researchers have coupled this technique with other mechanical or chemical techniques.…”