On the use of cellulose nanowhisker as reinforcement in all-cellulose composite membrane from corn stalk

All-cellulose composite (ACC) membranes were prepared with cellulose and cellulose nano whisker (CNW) extracted from corn stalk by using NaOH/thiourea as solvent. CNW was isolated via acid hydrolysis method and the yield, size distribution and morphology of CNW were investigated. ACC Membranes were characterized via SEM, XRD, TGA as well as water flux and were further plasticized with glycerol aqueous solution. The mechanical property and transparency of ACC membranes before and after plasticization were compared. CNW prepared with 63% sulfuric acid for 60 min of hydrolysis time had the biggest ratio of length to diameter and moderate yield. ACC membrane with 5% CNW content had the highest tensile strength and the structure of ACC membranes was observed clearly in SEM images. TGA testing indicated that the initial degradation temperature tended to lower after CNW was introduced into membrane. ACC membrane had good optical transmittance and good flexibility after plasticization.