Cellulose nanocrystals from agriculture and forestry biomass: synthesis methods, characterization and industrial applications

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 31; no. 49; pp. 58745 - 58778
• Main Authors: Qureshi, Sundus Saeed, Nizamuddin, Sabzoi, Xu, Jia, Vancov, Tony, Chen, Chengrong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-10-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agricultural wastes; Agriculture; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Biocompatibility; Biomass; Biomass burning; Cellulose; Cellulose - chemistry; Chemical synthesis; Crystals; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental management; Forest management; Forestry; Industrial applications; Ionic liquids; Lignocellulose; Nanocrystals; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Review; Review Article; Tensile strength; Thermal properties; Thermodynamic properties; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Hydrolysis; Delignification; Industrial applications; Agricultural biomass resources; Cellulose nanocrystals; Synthesis methods
• ISSN: 1614-7499; 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-35127-3

Agricultural and forestry biomass wastes, often discarded or burned without adequate management, lead to significant environmental harm. However, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), derived from such biomass, have emerged as highly promising materials due to their unique properties, including high tensile strength, large surface area, biocompatibility, and renewability. This review provides a detailed analysis of the lignocellulosic composition, as well as the elemental and proximate analysis of different biomass sources. These assessments help determine the yield and characteristics of CNCs. Detailed discussion of CNC synthesis methods -ranging from biomass pretreatment to hydrolysis techniques such as acid, mineral, solid acid, ionic liquid, and enzymatic methods—are provided. The key physical, chemical, and thermal properties of CNCs are also highlighted, particularly in relation to their industrial applications. Recommendations for future research emphasize the need to optimize CNC synthesis processes, identify suitable biomass feedstocks, and explore new industrial applications.
Graphical Abstract