Analysis of Compression Resistance and Oil Adsorption Capacity of Cellulose/NaOH Cryogels

Abstract

This work aimed at analyzing the petroleum adsorption capacity and the compressive strength of cellulose cryogels produced with the addition of 4 and 8% (w/w) sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Cryogels were produced from a 1.5% (m/m) suspension of cellulose microfibers, which originated from Pinus elliotti, in distilled water. The addition of NaOH increased the compression strength of cryogel by 30% when compared to cryogel without the reagent. Due to the 50% decrease in volume, the cryogel FLNB-8h (8% NaOH) has its petroleum adsorption capacity decreased in average by 58%, whereas the FLNB-4 (4% NaOH) cryogel had it only by 14%. The cellulose suspension which provided the best results for the properties of the cryogels tested had a 4% concentration of NaOH.

Facile preparation of lignocellulosic xerogels by alkali freezing and ambient drying

“…Further increasing the freezing time to 5 h, the ice crystals exploded and extruded, which allowed the NaOH solution to penetrate and disrupt the internal cellulose crystalline structure, leading to fiber swelling. 25 Additionally, since the residual lignin in the cellulose fibers restricted the free movement between fibers, the cellulose I structure partially converted into the cellulose II structure. [26][27][28] This would be beneficial to the mechanical strength of the resulting xerogel.…”