Abstract:

To utilize the Salix resources and reduce environmental pollution, the Salix bark was used as raw materialin this study.The cellulose was extracted and separated by chemical treatment methods. Eventually, the pure microcrystalline cellulose was obtained. During the study, the morphology and crystal structure of the microcrystalline cellulose were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and other measurements. Moreover, the particle size of microcrystalline cellulose was analyzed using a microscope. The results demonstrate that, hemicellulose and lignin are removed gradually by stepwise treatment, and the crystallinity of cellulose increase. The microcrystalline cellulose shows a rod-like shape,degree of polymerization of 185.7, and about 85% of the length distributes between 20-60 μm. Average length of the Salix microcrystalline cellulose is 46±15 μm with an average diameter of 10±3 μm. Our work provides a new approach to obtaining microcrystalline cellulose as well as a solution to the problem ofthe waste of the resources of Salix Psammophila．

Key words: Salix psammophila bark, microcrystalline cellulose, particle size, crystallinity