Cellulose processing from biomass and its derivatization into carboxymethylcellulose: A review

• Published in: Scientific African 2022-03, Vol.15, p.e01078, Article e01078
• Main Authors: Pinto, Emmanuel, Aggrey, Wilberforce Nkrumah, Boakye, Patrick, Amenuvor, Gershon, Sokama-Neuyam, Yen Adams, Fokuo, Michael Kwadwo, Karimaie, Hassan, Sarkodie, Kwame, Adenutsi, Caspar Daniel, Erzuah, Samuel, Rockson, Mizpah Ama Dziedzorm
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bleaching; Carboxymethylcellulose; Characterization; Extraction; Synthesis
• ISSN: 2468-2276; 2468-2276
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e01078

Many physical, chemical, and/or enzymatic treatments have been used to open the structure of lignocellulosic biomass, separate its components and obtain cellulose. The alkaline-bleaching treatment is most preferred in terms of reagent availability. In terms of cellulose yield and quality, however, there are inconsistencies with the alkaline-bleaching treatment. Similarly, the optimum conditions for carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) synthesis from cellulose mercerization and etherification are vague. This review paper investigates and compares the various conditions applied in CMC synthesis and recommends efficient processes and optimal conditions for increasing CMC yield and quality. Recommended mercerization parameters are 25–30% (w/v) NaOH, 1–1.5 h and 25–28 °C. Recommended etherification parameters are 1.2 g chloroacetic acid (CAA) or sodium chloroacetate (SCA)/g cellulose, 3–3.5 h and 50–55 °C. The source material and extraction process determines the quality of the cellulose produced. Therefore, identifying the most efficient methods and underlying conditions for various cellulose sources is important.