Insight into the Evolution of the Cellulose Microstructure Through the Enzyme Pretreatment Method

In this work, the changes of properties and microstructure of cellulose (bleached hardwood kraft pulp (BHKP)) subjected to different enzyme pretreatment times (0–10 h) were explored for further fibrillation. The various properties of the pretreated cellulose gradually decrease with the elapse of time relative to the pristine material, such as yield, water retention value, aspect ratio and degree of polymerization, etc. Enzyme pretreatment can promote the peeling of fibrils and loosen the amorphous areas of cellulose identified by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A thorough investigation of the relation between pretreatment and evolution of inter-/intra-molecular H-bonds in cellulose was conducted including content and cleave sequence of H-bonds by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), second derivative analysis and generalized two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS). The intermolecular H-bonds with the most significant decrease in content was cleaved first relative to the intramolecular H-bonds. These discoveries provide theoretical support to more effective pretreatment method for commercial production of fibrils from cellulosic fibers.