Open Access

ARTICLE

Microfibrillated Cellulose from Sugarcane Bagasse as a Biorefinery Product for Ethanol Production

Rafael Grande^1*, Eliane Trovatti², Maria Tereza B. Pimenta³, Antonio J. F. Carvalho¹
1 University of São Paulo, Av. João Dagnone 1100, CEP 13563-120, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
2 University of Araraquara (UNIARA), R. Carlos Gomes, 1217, CEP 14801-320, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
3 Suzano Papel e Celulose SA, Av. Lirio Correa, 1465, 06460-040, Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil
*Corresponding author:

Journal of Renewable Materials 2018, 6(2), 195-202. https://doi.org/10.7569/JRM.2018.634109

Abstract

Research involving the preparation of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from sugarcane bagasse is a relevant topic to the production of new nanomaterials and more accessible cellulose substrates for the production of second generation ethanol. Regarding the transformation of cellulose into glucose, the precursor of second generation ethanol, this nanosized cellulosic substrate represents a more appropriate material for the chemical hydrolysis process. The high aspect ratio of MFC improves hydrolysis, requiring mild conditions and decreasing the generation of by-products. Here, MFC was prepared from sugarcane bagasse by ultrasound defibrillation. This material was oxidized with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) to produce negatively charged high defibrillated MFC. The MFC was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and viscosity measurements.

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Keywords

Cellulose nanofibrils, substrate, second generation ethanol

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