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    Valorization of Residual Empty Palm Fruit Bunch Fibers (EPFBF) by Microfluidization: Production of Nanofibrillated Cellulose and EPFBF Nanopaper

    Year: 2012

    Journal: Bioresource technology, 2012, 125 pp 249-255, 20130115

    Authors: Ana Ferrer, Ilari Filpponen, Alejandro Rodríguez, Janne Laine, Orlando J. Rojas

    Organizations: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cordoba, Spain, School of Science and Technology, Department of Forest Products Technology, Aalto University, 00076 Aalto, Finland, Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8005, USA

    Different cellulose pulps were produced from sulfur-free chemical treatments of Empty Palm Fruit Bunch Fibers (EPFBF), a by-product from palm oil processing. The pulps were microfluidized for deconstruction into nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and nanopaper was manufactured by using an overpressure device. The morphological and structural features of the obtained NFCs were characterized via atomic force and scanning electron microscopies. The physical properties as well as the interactions with water of sheets from three different pulps were compared with those of nanopaper obtained from the corresponding NFC. Distinctive chemical and morphological characteristics and ensuing nanopaper properties were generated by the EPFBF fibers. The NFC grades obtained compared favorably with associated materials typically produced from bleached wood fibers. Lower water absorption, higher tensile strengths (107–137 MPa) and elastic modulus (12–18 GPa) were measured, which opens the possibility for valorization of such widely available bioresource.