Visualizing Degradation of Cellulose Nanofibers by Acid Hydrolysis

Panagiotis Spiliopoulos, Stefan Spirk, Timo Pääkkönen, Mira Viljanen, Kirsi Svedström, Leena Pitkänen, Muhamad Awais, Eero Kontturi*

*Korrespondierende/r Autor/-in für diese Arbeit

Publikation: Beitrag in einer FachzeitschriftArtikelBegutachtung

Abstract

Cellulose hydrolysis is an extensively studied process due to its relevance in the fields of biofuels, chemicals production, and renewable nanomaterials. However, the direct visualization of the process accompanied with detailed scaling has not been reported because of the vast morphological alterations occurring in cellulosic fibers in typical heterogeneous (solid/liquid) hydrolytic systems. Here, we overcome this distraction by exposing hardwood cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) deposited on silica substrates to pressurized HCl gas in a solid/gas system and examine the changes in individual CNFs by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results revealed that hydrolysis proceeds via an intermediate semi-fibrous stage before objects reminiscent of cellulose nanocrystals were formed. The length of the nanocrystal-like objects correlated well with molar mass, as analyzed by gel permeation chromatography, performed on CNF aerogels hydrolyzed under identical conditions. Meanwhile, X-ray diffraction showed a slight increase in crystallinity index as the hydrolysis proceeded. The results provide a modern visual complement to >100 years of research in cellulose degradation.

Originalspracheenglisch
Seiten (von - bis)1399-1405
Seitenumfang7
FachzeitschriftBiomacromolecules
Jahrgang22
Ausgabenummer4
DOIs
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 12 Apr. 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Werkstoffchemie
  • Polymere und Kunststoffe
  • Biomaterialien

Fields of Expertise

  • Advanced Materials Science

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