Electron Beam Irradiation Isolates Cellulose Nanofiber from Korea “Tall Goldenrod” Invasive Alien Plant Pulp

Abstract

This work investigates the possibility of isolating cellulose nanofibers from pulps of tall goldenrod plant, which are invasive plants in Korea, by a convenient method, without strong acids or high-pressure homogenization, using electron beam irradiation (EBI). The obtained cellulose nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and in terms of their mechanical properties. SEM showed that the initially isolated 10-μm-diameter cellulose fibers became more finely separated with increasing EBI dose, and that cellulose fibers treated with 300 kGy of EBI were separated into long cellulose nanofibers of around 160 nm in diameter. In addition, the paper samples prepared from more finely separated fibers generated by using higher doses of EBI had enhanced UV–vis transmittance. Via the XRD analysis, we observed that cellulose I in the EBI-treated cellulose fibers were gradually converted into a different type of cellulose similar to cellulose type II, as the EBI dose increased. Meanwhile, the TGA demonstrated that the finely separated cellulose fibers observed after administering the high EBI dose had lowered thermal stability due to the reduction of cellulose I but higher char yield. In addition, tensile strengths of paper samples increased with decreasing the diameters of their constituent fibers that result from the different EBI doses used in the preparation of the paper pulp.

Interest of Pickering Emulsions for Sustainable Micro/Nanocellulose in Food and Cosmetic Applications

“…For example, cellulose fibers from tall goldenrod ( Solidago altissima L.), an invasive plant in Korea, were transformed by alkali treatment and bleaching, then by electron beam. When adsorbed dose increased from 50 to 300 kGy, cellulose fibrils width decreased from 10 µm to 160 nm [ 68 ]. Thus, to obtain nanocellulose, it was necessary to expose cellulose at high radiation doses, but, only doses inferior to 60 kGy would be safe for health [ 69 ].…”

“…Raw materials have been often treated with sodium hydroxide [ 22 , 43 , 46 , 48 , 50 ], but potassium hydroxide [ 45 ], or sodium carbonate coupled with active oxygen [ 56 ] might be also used. Bleaching has been frequently carried out with sodium chlorite and/or sodium hypochlorite [ 22 , 46 , 50 , 68 ], but these treatments caused toxic products release. Lignocellulosic materials could be also blanched with hydrogen peroxide, a greener alternative [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 56 ].…”

Preparation and Characterization of Carbon Fibers from Lyocell Precursors Grafted with Polyacrylamide via Electron-Beam Irradiation

“…In this study, to prepare lyocell-based carbon fibers, we used an electron beam irradiation (EBI) for grafting polyacrylamide (PAM); notably, no flame retardants were used. EBI, which is a type of ionizing radiation produced by a linear accelerator, can induce reactions such as polymerization [ 31 , 32 , 33 ], grafting [ 34 , 35 ], cross-linking [ 36 , 37 ], and scission [ 38 , 39 ]. A few studies were conducted in the past on EBI treatment for carbon fibers.…”

Characterization of Activated Carbon Paper Electrodes Prepared by Rice Husk-Isolated Cellulose Fibers for Supercapacitor Applications

“…Lignin and hemicellulose have an amorphous structure and act as the glue between cellulose fibers, being smoother than cellulose. However, cellulose is a semi-crystalline linear polymer that has excellent mechanical properties because of the high aspect ratio of its fibers [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ].…”