Flash Chemistry and Catalysis at the Interface of Cellulose Nanofibers

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K14959
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Wood science
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: KITAOKA Takuya 九州大学, 大学院農学研究院, 教授 (90304766)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ナノセルロース / ナノファイバー / TEMPO酸化 / カルボキシ基 / 結晶界面 / 触媒・化学プロセス / 反応・分離工学 / ナノ複合材料

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cellulose nanofibers have attracted much attention both in green chemistry and sustainable society. Herein, we have successfully found out a novel catalytic function of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNs). TOCNs with a high density of carboxylic acid groups exposed on their I-type crystalline surface extraordinarily performed as effective solid catalysts in acid hydrolysis of acetals. Carboxy-free cellulose nanofibers, polymeric carboxylic acids and acetic acid do not show significant catalytic activity, and mercerized TOCNs with II-type crystalline structure were also ineffective. These results strongly suggest that the unique nanoarchitectural features of TOCNs, such as regularly-aligned carboxylic acid groups, large specific surface areas and structural rigidity, must be major factors in acceleration of acetal hydrolysis. Our finding will provide new insight into interfacial catalysis and materials design of natural polysaccharide nanofibers.

Free Research Field

木質科学・多糖材料化学