Nanocellulose fabrication from Oryza sativa L. rice straw using combined treatment by hydrogen peroxide and dilute sulfuric acid solution

ABSTRACT

A novel and facile multi-stage treatment of rice straw by hydrogen peroxide solution was used for the preparation of nanocellulose from rice straw in Vietnam. Firstly, the rice straw was treated by hydrogen peroxide and dilute sulfuric acid using sodium molybdate as a catalyst in optimal conditions followed by the alkaline extraction and peroxide bleaching for obtaining cellulose pulp with a brightness of 82% ISO. Secondly, the obtained bleached cellulosic pulp was treated with a dilute solution at 100–150°C followed by refining. After refining, nanocellulose was achieved in solution with a concentration of around 0.05–0.2%. The SEM images showed that the nanocellulose material had a particle diameter ranging up to 100 nm. Nanocellulose size fraction was determined by computer software NIS-Elements Br. The characteristics of nanocellulose were studied by FTIR and XRD.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Combined treatment of rice straw bleached cellulose by dilute sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide at high temperature showed the whole cellulose was fibrillated into nanocellulose with fiber diameter less than 100 nm. About 30% of the cellulose was degraded. This is new method of nanacellulose fabrication can be developed at industrial scale.

KEYWORDS:

• Rice straw
• Pulping
• Cellulose
• Nanocellulose
• Cellulose hydrolysis

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thanks to Hanoi University of Science and Technology for supporting the fund for Project ID: T2016–LN–24 entitled “Study on conversion of rice straw to the bioethanol and nanocellulose”.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Hanoi University of Science and Technology [T2016–LN–24].

Notes on contributors

Le Quang Dien

Le Quang Dien is Vietnamese citizen, Associate Professor, PhD, lecturer from Center of Polyme Composite and Paper Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, Hanoi University of Sciencen and Technology. Hi is the leader of research group "The lignocellulose based chemicals and new materials".

Thai Dinh Cuong

Thai Dinh Cuong is Vietnames citizen, PhD, lecturer from Center of Polyme Composite and Paper Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology. His research interest is nanocellulose and nanochitosan preparation for paper coating.

Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong

Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong is Vietnamese citizen, PhD, lecturer from Center of Polyme Composite and Paper Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Her research intrerest is lignocellulosic bioethanol, wood modification for new materials.

Phan Huy Hoang

Phan Huy Hoang is Vietnammese citizen, Associate Professor, PhD, lecturer from Center of Polyme  Composite and Paper Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology. His research field is zeolite catalyst for biomass conversion, cellulose derivatives for new materials.

Dao Ngọc Truyen

Dao Ngọc Truyen is Vietnamese citizen, Master student from School of Chemical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology. His interest is nanocellulose preparation and lignocellulosic biomass based furans.

Nguyen Thị Minh Nguyet

Nguyen Thị Minh Nguyet is Vietnamese citizen, Associate Professor, PhD, lecturer from Institute of Wood Industry, Vietnam National University of Forestry.