High-pressure homogenized citrus fiber cellulose dispersions: Structural characterization and flow behavior

Functionalized biomass waste sources of cellulose have drawn attention due to their high availability and sustainability properties. In this work we characterize the structural flow properties high-pressure homogenized citrus fiber dispersions, employing SAXS, rheology rheo-MRI techniques. The treatment disrupts microfibrillar network within fibers, but leaves individual microfibrils intact. Under moderate shear (0.1-100 s -1 ) in a confined ( < 1 mm) geometry, these functionalized dispersions exhibit thixotropic shear-banding behavior accompanied by cooperative microfibril flocs with correlation lengths ? ~ 100 ? m. presented findings form basis towards understanding manipulating rheological non-wood under industrially-relevant conditions. • Multiscale assessment SAXS. Quantification defibrillation. Rheo-MRI reveals thixotropy behavior.