Short Communication: Biomass-dependent allomorphs in nanocellulose: Direct CII isolation from softwood and hibiscus

Recent studies have shown the co-isolation of allomorphs (i.e., a polymorphic structure) during the processing of nanocellulose using common pretreatments (e.g., grinding, alkaline treatment) and strong acid hydrolysis methods. This report further demonstrates that the type of nanocellulose structure isolated during chemical processing also depends on the type of biomass used, even when subjected to similar alkaline pretreatment and acid hydrolysis conditions. XRD analysis confirms the direct isolation of nanocellulose with a Cellulose II (CII) allomorphic structure from both softwood and Hibiscus. XRD and SEM analyses of softwood nanocellulose reveal a lower degree of crystallinity and an antiparallel arrangement of cellulose chains. TGA analyses show an increase in the thermal stability of CII nanocellulose isolated from softwood when compared to the native cellulose I (CI) isolated nanocellulose.