Production of nano-scale cellulose nanocrystal powder via electrospray drying (ESD) for sustainable composites

Abstract This research introduces the use of electrospray drying (ESD) using electro-hydro dynamic atomization (EHDA) mechanism to produce dry nano-scale cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) powder from a 3 wt% aqueous suspension. The CNC suspensions being mostly water are energy intensive dry. Gas in convection spray (SD) produces micron-scale during dehydration. ESD utilizes coulomb repulsion overcome suspension’s liquid surface tension and ultra-fine droplets. droplets dehydrate after falling fixed distance at atmospheric temperature pressure, leaving CNCs. Drying CNCs suspension occurred reducing liquid’s by mixing 40% (wt) ethanol 60 de-ionized (DI) water. feed rate was optimized 6 µL min −1 four syringes were employed increase production rates. Particle dimensions, observed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measured image analysis software, ranged 40 1200 nm length 10–500 width. Up 80% sprayed recovered parallel plate collector contained ~ 5 content. Adding 0.5 poly-lactic acid (PLA) tensile strength 10.3% elastic modulus 9.9%. yield CNC/PLA composite specimens 62.5 MPa 3.66 GPa, respectively. For comparison, SD micron scale only increased 5.1 stiffness 1.3% same processing conditions. Graphical abstract