High aspect ratio cellulose nanofibrils from macroalgae Laminaria hyperborea cellulose extract via a zero-waste low energy process

• DOI: 10.1007/s10570-020-03223-5
• Publication Date: 2020-07-13T10:04:05Z
• Authors: Amaka J. Onyianta; Dominic O’Rourke; Dongyang Sun; Carmen-Mihaela Po...; Mark Dorris
• Keywords: Thermal Stability

Abstract Homogeneous high aspect ratio cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) were prepared from Laminaria hyperborea (LH) seaweed without any initial mechanical, biological or chemical pre-treatments. Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometry revealed that LH was of the I α allomorph, typical algal cellulose. Compared with wood derived CNF, significant enhancements in crystallinity, viscoelastic properties, water retention values (WRV) and morphological characteristics identified a single pass at 1 wt. % content through high-pressure homogeniser. Further mechanical fibrillation did not lead to appreciable improvements material properties would justify added energy consumption, which is least factor 10 lower than processing. Good quality CNFs little compromise also obtainable 2–3 contents as analysis, WRV analysis. LHCNFs showed good thermal stability, summary presents multifunctional value nanomaterial can find application various fields. Graphic abstract