Microwave-Assisted Defibrillation of Microalgae

The first production of defibrillated celluloses from microalgal biomass using acid-free, TEMPO-free and bleach-free hydrothermal microwave processing is reported. Two routes were explored: i. direct process native microalgae (“standard”), ii. scCO2 pre-treatment followed by processing. ScCO2 was investigated as it commonly used to extract lipids generates considerable quantities spent algal biomass. Defibrillation evidenced in both cases afford cellulosic strands, which progressively decreased their width length the temperature increased 160 °C 220 °C. Lower temperatures revealed aspect ratios similar microfibrillated cellulose whilst at highest (220 °C), a mixture nanocrystals evidenced. XRD studies showed patterns I but also some unresolved peaks. crystallinity index (CrI), determined XRD, with increasing temperature. water holding capacity (WHC) all materials approximately 4.5 g H2O/g sample. able form partially stable hydrogels, only those processed above 200 concentration 3 wt% water. This unique work provides new set potential applications packaging, food, pharmaceutical cosmetic industries.