Characterization of cellulose nanowhiskers : a comparison of two industrial bio-residues

Cellulose nanowhiskers separated from two different industrial residues, sludge from cellulose production (CNWSL) and lignin residue from ethanol production (CNWER), were compared in order to evaluate their characteristics and their potential as a source for the production of cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs). It was found that CNWSL and CNWER suspensions exhibited flow birefringence when they were studied through cross-polarized filters. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study showed that the CNWSL were longer (377 nm) than CNWER (301 nm). It was also demonstrated that most CNWSL had nanowhiskers between 375-449 nm and CNWER between 300-374 nm. The UV/Vis spectroscopy showed a stronger interference in the UV and visible region for the CNWSL films. The crystallinity, obtained by X-ray analysis, was higher for CNWSL (86%) than for CNWER (78%). Finally, the thermal stability appeared to be slightly higher for the CNWER than for CNWSL. Both studied residues seem to be suitable sources for large-scale production of CNWs.Validerad; 2012; Bibliografisk uppgift: Article number 012006 ; 20111206 (ysko