Single-step extraction of functionalized cellulose nanocrystal and polyvinyl chloride from industrial wallpaper wastes

An efficient route for extracting cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and recycling polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is presented through formic/hydrochloric acid hydrolysis of industrial wallpaper wastes (WS). The preparation parameters were optimized by using Box-Behnken design and Multiple-response surface methodology with desirability function. An optimum yield (54.0%) and aspect ratio (12.4) were achieved at reaction time of 10 h, liquid-solid ratio of 60 mL/g, and temperature of 80 degrees C. With the increasing reaction time, a gradual reduction in the size of the CNCs with rod-like and spherical shapes was found, which was explained by proposed mechanism-"progressively peeling reaction". Moreover, compared to WS, the crystallinity and maximum degradation temperature of the CNC-10H increased to 89.8% and 371.4 degrees C, respectively. Furthermore, the CNC-10H showed stronger nucleating effect and reinforcing capability on polylactic acid than CNC-nanosphere and CNC-nanorod. In addition, PVC layers can be completely recycled, and further used to produce new wallpapers. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.