Jul 23, 2019
One-Pot Procedure for NCC Isolation
Physical Sciences, Material
- Conventional Production of NCC is complex, expensive and takes several days
- Novel simplified method for NCC isolation: neutralization-based isolation
- Significantly enhanced yield, accelerated process and reduced water usage
Your contact
Dr. Katharina Stoiber
- E-Mail:
- kstoiber@baypat.de
- Phone:
- +49 (0) 89 5480177 - 40
- Reference Number:
- B74068
Factsheet
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Nanocrystalline Cellulose (NCC) is a renewable material that has many interesting properties and a wide application range: To cite a few examples, NCC is widely investigated as a reinforcement material and due to its nontoxicity and biocompatibility it is a highly suitable material for implants or drug delivery systems. However, although NCC is an industrially promising material, its production remains complex, expensive and takes several days. Furthermore, the yield of the currently employed preparation procedures is low and usually does not exceed 20%. These circumstances represent significant obstacles, preventing a widespread application of NCC.
Innovation
With the present invention the production process of NCC is substantially simplified. The preparation procedures for NCC are typically based on acidic hydrolysis of cellulose fibers, which is so far stopped by diluting the suspension with large amounts of water. Here, an energy-consuming step is no longer required, as the inventors found a way for the controlled neutralization of the suspension by terminating the acidic hydrolysis. This uncomplicated and very effective step in the production procedure enables an easy-made separation of the NCC by centrifugation, which leads to a significantly higher yield.
Commercial Opportunities
- Food & Healthcare
- Pharmaceuticals
- Photonics & Electronics
- Engineering
- Packaging & Coatings
- Low-volume applications
Development Status
Established method for NCC isolation