Effect of Acid Hydrolysis Conditions on the Extraction of Cellulose Nanocrystals
Víctor M. Serrano‐Martínez, Henoc Pérez‐Aguilar, María Pilar Carbonell‐Blasco, Avelina Garcı́a-Garcı́a, Francisca Arán‐Aís, Elena Orgilés‐Calpena
Abstract
The quest for sustainable and efficient methods for extracting cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) remains critical in the development of advanced materials. This study refines the acid hydrolysis process for cellulose derived from rice straw, an abundant agricultural waste, focusing on the relationship between hydrolysis parameters and CNC properties. The research identifies conditions that enhance crystallinity and colloidal stability while effectively transforming amorphous cellulose into nanocrystals. Advanced characterization techniques, including XRD, SEM, TEM, and zeta potential measurements, provided insights into the structural and colloidal properties of CNCs. The findings demonstrate the influence of reaction temperature, time, and acid concentration on CNC quality, with optimized conditions yielding nanocrystals with enhanced stability and well-defined morphology. This study underscores the potential of rice straw as a renewable resource, advancing the circular economy by promoting the use of sustainable materials in high-value applications such as composite reinforcement and coatings.