Extraction and characterization of cellulose nanofibers and nanocrystals from liquefied banana pseudo-stem residue

Banana pseudo-stems fibers were novel extracted via atmospheric liquefaction combined with TEMPO-mediated oxidation. Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and nanocrystals (CNC) were subsequently obtained by high-intensity ultrasonic treatment and acidolysis, respectively. Liquefied residue content as well as its constituent varied with liquefaction time. Scanning electron microscopy and fourier transform infrared demonstrate that the progressive removal of non-cellulosic impurities. Morphological studies exhibit that CNF present a range of 3 similar to 10 nm in diameter and 140 similar to 690 nm in length, while CNC have average diameter of 3.5 +/- 1.6 nm and a length of 93.3 +/- 37.6 nm. XRD analysis indicates that the CNCs have a high crystallinity (95.6%). The thermal stability of the fibers was measured by thermogravimetric analysis. The structures and properties of CNF and CNC give it potential to be used in reinforcing polymeric matrix materials.