Isolation and Characterization of Crystalline Cellulose Nanofibers (CNF’S) from Guadua Angustifolia Kunth (GAK)

This work aims to isolate and characterize crystalline cellulose nanofibers from a tropical bamboo named guadua angustifolia. A nanofiber extraction methodology was developed that includes: i) a thermomechanical pretreatment by steam explosion, ii) an acid hydrolysis phase, and iii) a disintegration phase using a supermasscolloid grinder. The nanofibers were evaluated for their morphology (SEM) and (AFM), functional groups (FTIR), thermal degradation (TGA) and crystallinity index (XRD). The diameters of the nanofibers ranged from 20 to 60 nm. FTIR analysis determined an effective removal of functional groups characteristic of non-cellulosic compounds such as lignin and hemicellulose. The nanofibers showed greater thermal stability in relation to the microfibers. The crystallinity index was 75%, evidencing the effectiveness of the methodology to obtain crystalline nanocellulose.