One-pot treatment of cellulose using iron oxide catalysts to produce nanocellulose and water-soluble oxidised cellulose

This research explains the one-pot process of cellulose fibrillation to procure nanocellulose fibres and watersoluble oxidised cellulose using iron oxide catalysts with hydrogen peroxide. The process involved three stages. First, cellulose underwent depolymerisation to form nanocellulose fibres. Second, nanocellulose was oxidised to a water-soluble product, and the final stage was the complete decomposition. Factors such as the valency of ions in the crystal lattice of catalyst, its particle size, and reaction time influenced the treatment. By controlling these factors, either nanocellulose fibres or water-soluble oxidised cellulose with high yields of 83% and 38% produced, respectively. Nanocellulose had 73% crystallinity with DP (degree of polymerisation), 150, and the dimension of 30-110 nm thickness and 1-5 mu m in length. The water-soluble product was oxidised with a carboxyl content of 2.9 mmol/g and DP, 25. This research gave an alternative method and eliminated the need for halogenated reagents, strong acids, and mechanical pretreatments.

Automated summary

This research explains a one-pot process using iron oxide catalysts and hydrogen peroxide to fibrillate cellulose and obtain nanocellulose fibers and water-soluble oxidized cellulose. By controlling factors such as the valency and particle size of the catalyst, as well as the reaction time, high yields of nanocellulose fibers (83%) and water-soluble oxidized cellulose (38%) were achieved. The nanocellulose fibers had a crystallinity of 73%, a degree of polymerization (DP) of 150, and dimensions of 30-110 nm thickness and 1-5 μm length. The water-soluble product had a carboxyl content of 2.9 mmol/g and DP of 25. This research provides an alternative method that eliminates the need for halogenated reagents, strong acids, and mechanical pretreatments.