Influence of High Shear Dispersion on the Production of Cellulose Nanofibers by Ultrasound-Assisted TEMPO-Oxidation of Kraft Pulp

Nanomaterials

Eric Loranger¹  André-Olivier Piché¹ 

[1] Lignocellulosic Material Research Centre, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Des Forges, Trois-Rivières, Québec G9A 5H7, Canada;

关键词: Kraft pulp;    ultrasound;    TEMPO-oxidation;    nanocellulose;    consistency;    high-shear dispersion;    stator-rotor gap;    recirculation rate;    pH;    rheological behavior;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nano2030286

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Cellulose nanofibers can be produced using a combination of TEMPO, sodium bromide (NaBr) and sodium hypochlorite, and mechanical dispersion. Recently, this process has been the subject of intensive investigation. However, studies on the aspects of mechanical treatment of this process remain marginal. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the high shear dispersion parameters (e.g., consistency, stator-rotor gap, recirculation rate and pH) and determine their influences on nanocellulose production using ultrasound-assisted TEMPO-oxidation of Kraft pulp. All nanofiber gels produced in this study exhibited rheological behaviors known as shear thinning. From all the dispersion parameters, the following conditions were identified as optimal: 0.042 mm stator-rotor gap, 200 mL/min recycle rate, dispersion pH of 7 and a feed consistency of 2%. High quality cellulose gel could be produced under these conditions. This finding is surely of great interest for the pulp and paper industry.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.