Extraction and Use of Nanocellulose from Non-wood Plant Materials in the Composition of Paper and Cardboard

The study describes the production of pulp and nanocellulose (NC) from non-wood plant materials (NWPM) and use it in the composition of paper and cardboard. For the production of nanocellulose, various representatives of NWPM were used—hemp fibers, reed stalks and corn harvest residues. Pulp was obtained from NWPM by an environmentally friendly organosolv method using a peracetic acid solution. Nanocellulose was extracted from organosolv pulp (OP) by acid hydrolysis or by oxidation in 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) solution. Nanosizes of obtained NCs were confirmed by AFM method. The nanoparticles of NCs have a transverse size in the range of 3–18 nm and a length of tens of micrometers, a density in the range of 1.25–1.54 g/cm3, a tensile strength in the range of 43–67 MPa, a transparency in the range of 57–85% and crystalline index in the range of 57–85%. It has been established that the addition of nanocellulose to the fibrous composition or to the surface of paper (cardboard) improves the physical and mechanical properties of paper for automatic food packaging and cardboard for flat layers of corrugated cardboard. The recommended values of the consumption of nanocellulose for the production of paper and cardboard with indicators that meet the requirements of the relevant standards have been determined.