Extraction of nanocellulose fibrils from lignocellulosic fibres: A novel approach

► The work suggests a simple and low cost method for the extraction of cellulose from various lignocellulosic fibres and preparation of nanocellulose fibrils from this extracted cellulose. ► Mercerization of the fibre will dissolve the non-crystalline particles from the lignocellulosic fibres. ► Steam explosion after mercerization of the fibre causes defibrillation and depolymerisation along with isolation of the crystalline cellulose particles. ► The crystallinity of the fibre increases during each of these processing steps. ► By adopting this process nanocellulose from various lignocellulosic fibres can be easily isolated. ► The prepared nanocellulose fibrils will be a good reinforcement in the polymeric matrices where a large surface area and specific properties of nanotechnology are required.