The non-trivial role of native xylans on the preparation of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils

Cellulose nanofibrils have become increasingly prized as a raw material toward the preparation of composites due to their specific surface character and biocompatibility. TEMPO-mediated oxidation with post-mechanical treatment has been proposed as a promising method for the preparation of cellulose nanofibrils from cellulosic raw materials. In the current study it was found that the native hemicellulosic components in the raw material played a pivotal chemical role on the kinetics of generation of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNs), as well as on thermal stability, and transmittance . The removal of xylans from the original feedstock facilitated not only an increase in both the carboxylate content and water retention value of the TEMPO-oxidized fibers, but also improved the transmittance of subsequently obtained TOCNs suspensions. It was also determined that the presence of xylans in the cellulosic feedstock hindered chemical accessibility through a barrier mechanism in which the TEMPO-mediated oxidation reaction rate was reduced.