High-pressure autohydrolysis process of wheat straw for cellulose and use in PBAT

The effect of autohydrolysis (AH) temperature (165 degrees C, 195 degrees C, 225 degrees C) on the structure, purity, and recovery yield of the cellulose residue isolated after additional alkaline and bleaching steps from wheat straw, was investigated. The processes were quantified for mass yields in the different steps and for antioxidants and sugars release during AH. AH at 195 degrees C allowed for the highest cellulose residue yield (83.5%) with purity (similar to 70%) and structure similar to the other residues. FTIR and XRD analyses showed straw cellulose (SC) with a type II polymorphism and crystallinity index increasing with AH temperature. SC obtained at the end of the entire fractionation process (SC-195. C) starting from AH residue-195.C was tested as a reinforcing agent in different percentage (0, 2 and 5% by weight) in poly(butylene adipate-coterephthalate) (PBAT) films. The Young's modulus of the films increased by similar to 17% with 5 wt% cellulose, while tensile strength and elongation at break decreased..

Automated summary

This study investigated the effect of autohydrolysis temperature on the cellulose residue isolated from wheat straw. The results showed that autohydrolysis at 195 degrees C produced the highest cellulose residue yield with similar purity and structure to the other residues. The cellulose residue was then tested as a reinforcing agent in PBAT films, and it was found that the addition of 5% cellulose increased the Young's modulus of the films.