Parametric optimization of the production of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from South African corncobs via an empirical modelling approach

In this study, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were obtained from South African corncobs using an acid hydrolysis process. The delignification of corncobs was carried out by using alkali and bleaching pretreatment. Furthermore, the Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was used as a design of experiment (DOE) for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2022-11, Vol.12 (1), p.18665-15, Article 18665
Main Authors: Sadare, Olawumi O., Mabunda, Nomthandazo, Ikegwu, Ugochukwu M., Keitemoge, Molly K., Daramola, Michael O., Moothi, Kapil
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
639/925
704/172
Bleaching
Cellulose
Cellulose - chemistry
Crystallinity
Crystals
Design of experiments
Fourier transforms
Humanities and Social Sciences
Image processing
Morphology
multidisciplinary
Nanocrystals
Nanoparticles - chemistry
Scanning electron microscopy
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
South Africa
Sulfuric acid
Surface chemistry
Temperature
X-ray diffraction
Zea mays
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Summary:In this study, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were obtained from South African corncobs using an acid hydrolysis process. The delignification of corncobs was carried out by using alkali and bleaching pretreatment. Furthermore, the Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was used as a design of experiment (DOE) for statistical experimentations that will result in logical data to develop a model that explains the effect of variables on the response (CNCs yield). The effects (main and interactive) of the treatment variables (time, temperature, and acid concentration) were investigated via the response methodology approach and the obtained model was used in optimizing the CNCs yield. Surface morphology, surface chemistry, and the crystallinity of the synthesized CNC were checked using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), and an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, respectively. The SEM image of the raw corncobs revealed a smooth and compact surface morphology. Results also revealed that CNCs have higher crystallinity (79.11%) than South African waste corncobs (57.67%). An optimum yield of 80.53% CNCs was obtained at a temperature of 30.18 °C, 30.13 min reaction time, and 46 wt% sulfuric acid concentration. These optimized conditions have been validated to confirm the precision. Hence, the synthesized CNCs may be suitable as filler in membranes for different applications.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-022-22865-y