Low energy synthesis of crystalline cellulose nanofibers from Pennisetum hohenackeri by planetary ball milling
Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), a new-age bio-based nanomaterial with excellent properties, have not yet been widely commercialized due to complex synthesis methodologies and high fibrillation energy consumption, leading to elevated production costs. Consequently, there is a critical need for a low-fib...
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666893925001379 |
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| author | Susithra Sureshkumar Dhruvkumar Bharatbhai Patel Swambabu Varanasi |
| author_facet | Susithra Sureshkumar Dhruvkumar Bharatbhai Patel Swambabu Varanasi |
| author_sort | Susithra Sureshkumar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), a new-age bio-based nanomaterial with excellent properties, have not yet been widely commercialized due to complex synthesis methodologies and high fibrillation energy consumption, leading to elevated production costs. Consequently, there is a critical need for a low-fibrillation energy, cost-effective, and easily scalable synthesis route for CNFs. Regardless of the fibrillation method, the biomass source plays a vital role in reducing the energy required for fibrillation. This study synergistically explored a novel biomass source with lower lignin and higher hemicellulose content, a suitable bleaching and delignification method that retains predominant hemicellulose while removing lignin and other extractives, and an efficient fibrillation route. Raw Pennisetum hohenackeri (fountain grass) was processed to produce a pulp with 20 % hemicellulose content, lower lignin content, and a carboxylate content of 0.42 mmol/g in the grass, allowing the production of CNFs with just 5 min of planetary ball milling, without any mechanical or chemical pre-treatments. The synthesized CNFs had an average diameter of 13 nm (±6 nm) and a crystallinity index of 76 %. The tensile strength of CNF films were comparable to values reported in the literature. The energy required for fibrillation was 2.95 kWh/kg, the lowest reported so far. This eco-friendly and energy-efficient fibrillation method offers a sustainable alternative for CNF production, promoting the use of renewable biomass resources. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-493e04db72e0494e9c68b065ef5b7d7f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2666-8939 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications |
| spelling | doaj-art-493e04db72e0494e9c68b065ef5b7d7f2025-08-20T03:45:10ZengElsevierCarbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications2666-89392025-06-011010079910.1016/j.carpta.2025.100799Low energy synthesis of crystalline cellulose nanofibers from Pennisetum hohenackeri by planetary ball millingSusithra Sureshkumar0Dhruvkumar Bharatbhai Patel1Swambabu Varanasi2Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, IndiaDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, IndiaCorresponding author.; Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, IndiaCellulose nanofibers (CNFs), a new-age bio-based nanomaterial with excellent properties, have not yet been widely commercialized due to complex synthesis methodologies and high fibrillation energy consumption, leading to elevated production costs. Consequently, there is a critical need for a low-fibrillation energy, cost-effective, and easily scalable synthesis route for CNFs. Regardless of the fibrillation method, the biomass source plays a vital role in reducing the energy required for fibrillation. This study synergistically explored a novel biomass source with lower lignin and higher hemicellulose content, a suitable bleaching and delignification method that retains predominant hemicellulose while removing lignin and other extractives, and an efficient fibrillation route. Raw Pennisetum hohenackeri (fountain grass) was processed to produce a pulp with 20 % hemicellulose content, lower lignin content, and a carboxylate content of 0.42 mmol/g in the grass, allowing the production of CNFs with just 5 min of planetary ball milling, without any mechanical or chemical pre-treatments. The synthesized CNFs had an average diameter of 13 nm (±6 nm) and a crystallinity index of 76 %. The tensile strength of CNF films were comparable to values reported in the literature. The energy required for fibrillation was 2.95 kWh/kg, the lowest reported so far. This eco-friendly and energy-efficient fibrillation method offers a sustainable alternative for CNF production, promoting the use of renewable biomass resources.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666893925001379CelluloseCellulose nanofibersBall millingLow-energy synthesisFountain grass |
| spellingShingle | Susithra Sureshkumar Dhruvkumar Bharatbhai Patel Swambabu Varanasi Low energy synthesis of crystalline cellulose nanofibers from Pennisetum hohenackeri by planetary ball milling Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications Cellulose Cellulose nanofibers Ball milling Low-energy synthesis Fountain grass |
| title | Low energy synthesis of crystalline cellulose nanofibers from Pennisetum hohenackeri by planetary ball milling |
| title_full | Low energy synthesis of crystalline cellulose nanofibers from Pennisetum hohenackeri by planetary ball milling |
| title_fullStr | Low energy synthesis of crystalline cellulose nanofibers from Pennisetum hohenackeri by planetary ball milling |
| title_full_unstemmed | Low energy synthesis of crystalline cellulose nanofibers from Pennisetum hohenackeri by planetary ball milling |
| title_short | Low energy synthesis of crystalline cellulose nanofibers from Pennisetum hohenackeri by planetary ball milling |
| title_sort | low energy synthesis of crystalline cellulose nanofibers from pennisetum hohenackeri by planetary ball milling |
| topic | Cellulose Cellulose nanofibers Ball milling Low-energy synthesis Fountain grass |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666893925001379 |
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