Extraction, properties and use of nanocellulose from corn crop residues

The study describes the extraction of cellulose and nanocellulose (NC) from corn crop residues (CCR), the world’s largest cereal crop. The effect of mechanical sieving and washing of CCR in cold and hot water on the content of chemical elements in their ash was investigated. It is recommended to sift crushed CCR from sand and dust before thermochemical treatment. Corn organosolv cellulose (OCC) was obtained by an environmentally friendly method using a solution of peracetic acid. SEM data confirmed the destruction and decrease in the size of CCR fibers during their thermochemical treatments. FTIR and XRD data showed that the influence of chemicals and temperature leads to a decrease in the content of residual lignin, the lateral order index, the apparent size of crystallites, and an increase in the crystallinity index in corn cellulosic materials in the following order: CCR—corn pulp after alkaline extraction—OCC—NC. DLS, AFM, and TEM data confirmed that NC particles had a transverse size in the range of 5–65 nm and a length of up to several micrometers. The positive effect of the use of corn NC on the improvement of cardboard indicators and the reduction of the consumption of harmful chemical auxiliary substances is shown. Corn NC with a density of up to 1.2 g/cm³, a tensile strength of up to 43 MPa, and a crystalline index of 74.9% can of composite materials and as a basis for obtaining smart electronic devices.