Title:
Cotton and Sunflower Stalks as Potential Sources of Bioplastics. Characterisation of the Cellulosic Fraction Isolated by a Conventional Alkaline-Bleaching Process
Author(s):
Rodríguez-Liébana, J.A., Jurado-Contreras, S., Morillas-Gutiérrez, F., La Rubia, M.D., Moya, A.J., Mateo, S., Navas-Martos, F.J.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Nowadays, conventional fossil-based plastics are being more frequently substituted by materials produced from renewable sources with lower environmental impact in a diversity of applications such as packaging or single-use parts. To cover with the global demand of plastics, the fractionation of lignocellulosic residues generated from agroindustrial activities to obtain targeted biopolymers has emerged in the last few decades as an excellent choice for their economic valorisation. In this work, the cellulosic fractions extracted from cotton and sunflower stalks through conventional alkaline and bleaching treatments were characterised by infrared spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction and thermogravimetry to analyse their adequacy to serve as raw materials in the manufacturing of bioplastics. The process resulted to be highly efficient in the removal of lignin, and achieved cellulosic pulps with relatively high purity. This was confirmed by the characterisation performed that revealed the chemical changes produced in cotton and sunflower stalksafter the whole fractionation process. Both cellulosic pulps had high crystallinity and thermal stability and, although further research would be needed, they can be considered as good candidates for further conversion into derivatives with applications in biomaterials.
Keywords:
biomass, cellulose, agroindustrial residues, lignocellulosic sources, biopolymers
Topic:
Biomass Conversion to Bio-Based Products and Chemicals
Subtopic:
Processes for bio-based chemicals and materials
Event:
30th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
6AV.6.13
Pages:
1067 - 1069
ISBN:
978-88-89407-22-6
Paper DOI:
10.5071/30thEUBCE2022-6AV.6.13
Price:
FREE
