THE NEW METHOD OF OBTAINING MICROFIBRILLATED CELLULOSE FROM SPRUCE WOOD

The new method of producing of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from spruce wood was described. This method includes the stages of cellulose obtaining by peroxide delignification of wood in the medium “acetic acid-water-H2SO4 catalyst” and cellulose acid hydrolysis, ultrasonic treatment, and freeze drying. The structure of cellulosic products was studied by FTIR, XRD, SEM, AFM, dynamic light scattering methods. The particle size of final cellulosic products is characteristic of microfibrillated cellulose according to the TAPPI Standard WI 3021 classification. The particles of the MFC are characterized by a rather high surface charge, and its aqueous suspension showed a high colloidal stability for a long time. According to the AFM data the surface of the microfibrillated cellulose film is formed by homogeneous spherical particles with a diameter about 80 nm and does not contain external inclusions. The new method of obtaining MFC from spruce wood is less energy-consuming and more environmentally friendly compared to traditional technologies due to single-stage production of high quality cellulose without the use of sulfur- and chlorine containing delignifying agents, increased pressure and high water consumption.