As interest and demand in nanomaterials continues to grow, so do environmental concerns over both the impact of the production processes and the safety of the materials. Nanocellulose, the most abundant natural nanomaterial, could prove to be a safe option for applications ranging from electronics to pharmaceuticals should an environmentally friendly extraction process be developed. Previously, most nanocellulose has been recovered from lignocellulosic materials such as agricultural wastes and plant biomass using processes involving sulfuric acid. Given that paper products are also lignocellulosic materials that have already been processed, this project seeks to understand potential opportunities and drawbacks of nanocellulose extraction from paper wastes using more environmentally friendly citric acid.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Rutherford, Madison

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042722-121605
• 64291

Palavra-chave

• Cellulose
• Nanocellulose
• Wastepaper
• Recycling
• Waste management

Advisor

• Walker, Harold W.

Year

• 2022

Date created

• 2022-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Environmental Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Última modificação

• 2022-09-09