Process for obtaining cellulose nanofibers from lignocellulosic waste and method of using them to obtain bionanocomposites

The invention refers to a process for obtaining cellulose nanofibers from the spent lignocellulosic substrate resulting as a waste from the cultivation of mushrooms and to a process for valorizing these cellulose nanofibers as reinforcing agents for a biopolymer. The process of obtaining cellulose nanofibers with prospective applications in medicine, pharmaceutics, or in the production of packaging consists of grinding the lignocellulosic waste, a series of chemical treatments, dialysis and lyophilization steps that result in the formation of a fine powder of cellulose nanofibers with diameters between 20 and 200 nm that can be stored for several months without changing their properties under normal storage conditions (temperature 20-30 °C, humidity below 60%). Melt mixing these cellulose nanofibers and a biopolymer in different ratios, yields bionanocomposites with potential uses in medicine as medical implants, in pharmaceutics for the controlled release of drugs, in packaging, in electronics, and for obtaining of consumer goods.

This work was financially supported by the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CNCS/CCCDI–UEFISCDI, through the projects PN-III-P4-PCE2021-0435, contract 77PCE/2022 (CELGAS) within PNCDI III and also through PN 23.06.02.01/2022 (InteGral), within PN 23.06 Core Program-ChemNewDeal. It is also acknowledged the support of Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization through Program 1 – Development of the national research-development system, Subprogram 1.2-Institutional performance- Projects to finance excellence in RDI, Contract no. 15PFE/2021. (Patent application No. A 2024 -00186/17.04.2024)