Skip to main content
Log in

Ultrasound-assisted mild sulphuric acid ball milling preparation of lignocellulose nanofibers (LCNFs) from sunflower stalks (SFS)

  • Original Research
  • Published:
Cellulose Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Cellulose nanomaterials have properties that make them renewable materials of choice for various applications. However, the utilization of concentrated alkaline, acids, oxidizing or reducing agents in their production presents significant challenges to the environment. To mitigate this challenge and ensure the efficient industrialization of cellulose nanomaterials, lignocellulose nanofibers (LCNFs) were prepared through an easy, feasible and environment friendly method relative to conventional techniques. 1–3% Sulphuric acid was used in combination with ball milling and ultrasound to produce cellulose nanofibers containing about 92% of the original lignin content. The microstructure and morphology of the nanofibers were studied while thermal analysis showed that the LCNFs can withstand between 225–251 °C and lose only 5% of their weight. Interestingly, despite the binding force of lignin, the nanofibers showed high electrostatic repulsion up to − 47 mV between the fibers. The translucent nanofilms produced from the LCNFs are less hydrophilic having water contact angles around 76°–62°. These LCNFs were synthesised without passing through any pre-treatment process and their hydrophobic properties have been found to be better than conventional cellulose nanomaterials while their thermal properties are comparable.

Graphical abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are grateful for the financial support of this work provided by the Chinese Academy of Sciences-President’s International Fellowship Initiative (CAS-PIFI) Postdoctoral Research in China (Grant No. 2017PS0019).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yong Huang.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicting financial or other interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 862 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ewulonu, C.M., Liu, X., Wu, M. et al. Ultrasound-assisted mild sulphuric acid ball milling preparation of lignocellulose nanofibers (LCNFs) from sunflower stalks (SFS). Cellulose 26, 4371–4389 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-019-02382-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-019-02382-4

Keywords

Navigation