An environmentally friendly method for enzyme-assisted preparation of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) nanofibers

Microfibrillated cellulose nanofibers (MFC) provide strong reinforcement in polymer nanocomposites. In the present study, cellulosic wood fiber pulps are treated by endoglucanases or acid hydrolysis in combination with mechanical shearing in order to disintegrate MFC from the wood fiber cell wall. After successful disintegration, the MFC nanofibers were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Enzyme-treatment was found to facilitate disintegration, and the MFC nanofibers produced also showed higher average molar mass and larger aspect ratio than nanofibers resulting from acidic pretreatment.