(667c) Fabrication of Lignocellulose-Based Materials for Environmental, Energy, and Packaging Applications

This presentation is to report our recent studies on the fabrication of lignocellulose-based materials (nanocrystals, hydro/aerogels, and films) using a procedure of dissolution/dispersion and regeneration and their applications in environmental, energy, and packaging areas. Because of the capability of swelling and dissolving cellulose, molten salt hydrate (MSH), such as lithium bromide trihydrate (LBTH, ~61 wt% aqueous solution of LiBr), was used as a solvent to fabricate the materials. The dissolution of cellulose in LBTH is dependent on LiBr concentration, temperature, pH, and cellulose properties (consistency, particle size, and degree of polymerization). It is the ion-dipole coordination between hydrated Li⁺ and cellulose hydroxyl that disrupts the intermolecular H-bond of cellulose and then results in the dissolution of cellulose in the LBTH. The swollen and/or dissolved cellulose in the LBTH is regenerated when cooled down and washed with water, in which the LBTH can be recovered for reuse. The cellulose polymorph is transformed from I to II during the processing. The fabricated materials can be used for the metal and formaldehyde removal from water and indoor air, the energy harvesting by triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), and food packaging, respectively.