Production of cellulose nanoparticles from blue agave waste treated with environmentally friendly processes

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 183; pp. 294 - 302
• Main Authors: Robles, Eduardo, Fernández-Rodríguez, Javier, Barbosa, Ananda M., Gordobil, Oihana, Carreño, Neftali L.V., Labidi, Jalel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2018
• Subjects: Blue agave; Cellulose nanocrystals; Cellulose nanofibers; Organosolv; Blue agave; Organosolv; Cellulose nanocrystals; Cellulose nanofibers
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.01.015

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•Blue agave bagasse and leaves were collected for green valorization of waste biomass.•An organosolv delignification and TCF bleaching were selected for cellulose extraction.•Cellulose nanoparticles were obtained from blue agave and their properties were analyzed.•First study to fully assess cellulose nanoparticles from blue agave waste.
Tequila elaboration leaves two main byproducts that are undervalued (bagasse and leaves). Organosolv pulping and Total Chlorine Free bleaching were integrated to obtain cellulose fibers from agricultural waste which consisted of blue agave bagasse and leaf fibers; together they represent a green process which valorizes biomass waste. The obtained celluloses were characterized by FT-IR, colorimetry, and SEM and their extraction yields were evaluated. These celluloses were used to produce cellulose nanocrystals and cellulose nanofibers. First, an acid hydrolysis was performed in a sonication bath to induce cavitation during the reaction to produce cellulose nanocrystals. Then a high-pressure homogenization was selected to produce cellulose nanofibers. These nanocelluloses were characterized by powder XRD, Nanosizer, zeta potential, NMR, and electronic microscopy. Results showed that cellulose from organosolv pulps bleached with TCF bleaching is suitable for nanocellulose production. Moreover, the use of a new step to separate cellulose nanocrystals resulted in yields almost doubling traditional yields, while the rest of the properties remained within the expected.