Preparation of nanocellulose by homogeneous method: a key manufacturing technology for high-performance green materials

1. Nanocellulose: a new generation of sustainable high-performance materials

Nanocellulose ( NFC for short ) is a new type of green material with high specific surface area, high crystallinity and high strength obtained from natural cellulose through degradation and nanonization treatment. It has a wide range of sources, good degradability and strong biocompatibility, and is widely used in electronic materials, composite materials, cosmetics, food packaging, biomedical materials, agricultural auxiliaries and other fields.
Among them, ** homogenization method ( Homogenization ) ** is regarded as one of the core technical routes for industrial production of nanocellulose due to its good controllability in the preparation process and stable fiber quality.

Nanjing Tianlu Nanotechnology Co., Ltd. has long been engaged in the research and development and application of nanocellulose, and has built a mature and stable homogenization preparation system to achieve large-scale, continuous, green and low-energy consumption production.

2. The core principle of preparing nanocellulose by homogeneous method

The essence of the homogenization method is to use a high-pressure homogenizer to continuously ' peele , refine , and nanonize ' the fiber bundles of natural cellulose under the combined effects of high speed, high shear, and high impact force . 。
The entire process mainly relies on three mechanical mechanisms:

High shear force ( Shear Force )
causes the slurry to pass through extremely narrow gaps under high pressure, instantly generating a shear rate of up to 10⁶ s⁻⊃1; , causing the fibers to gradually dissociate into filament-like single fibers.

The cavitation effect ( Cavitation )
alternates between high-pressure and low-pressure areas to form a large number of micro-bubbles. The bubbles collapse to generate strong micro-jet, which effectively tears the fiber layer.

The high-speed impact slurry
is sprayed onto the impact valve surface, further breaking and dispersing the fibers and improving the nanometerization of the fibers.

Through multiple cycles of homogenization, a nanocellulose suspension with an average diameter of 10–50 nm and a length of several microns is finally obtained.

3. Homogenization method preparation process (industrial version)

The following process flow has been maturely applied in the production line of Nanjing Tianlu Nano Technology Co., Ltd.:

1. Raw material pretreatment (fiber bulking and preliminary dissociation)

Choose from wood pulp, plant fiber or bacterial cellulose

Adjust solid content (usually 1–3% )

Improve fiber peelability through mechanical stirring, beating, and chemical pretreatment (such as TEMPO oxidation, alkali treatment)

2. High-pressure homogenization (core step)

Feed the pretreated slurry into the high-pressure homogenizer

Common pressure range: 600–1500 bar

Number of cycles: 5–20 times (based on target particle size)

Control temperature < 60℃ to prevent excessive fiber degradation

3. Nano dispersion and stability

Further homogenization by ultrasonic dispersion or high-speed shearing

Adjust pH and add food grade or material grade stabilizer (such as trace NaCl/CMC )

4. Finished product inspection and packaging

Particle size analysis ( TEM/AFM )

Viscosity, Zeta potential, solid content detection

Perform sterile filtration (for medical / cosmetic grade)

Finally, a nanocellulose gel or liquid suspension with high transparency and high dispersion is obtained.

4. Advantages of preparing nanocellulose by homogeneous method

1. The fibers are finer and more uniform

The homogenization method can stably obtain thin fibers with a diameter of 10–30 nm , which is suitable for use in high-end composite materials and transparent films.

2. The process is green and environmentally friendly

There is no need for a large amount of strong acid or alkali, the wastewater burden is small, and it meets the needs of sustainable development.

3. Easy industrial scale-up

The high-pressure homogenization equipment is mature and can achieve continuous production, which is suitable for large-scale supply by enterprises.

4. Better material performance

Good suspension stability

Significant improvement in mechanical properties

Strong compatibility with resin, rubber, adhesive, ink and other systems

5. Technical advantages of Nanjing Tianlu Nanotechnology Co., Ltd.

Self-built high-pressure homogenization production line , with a daily output of 200-500 kg of nanocellulose suspension in a single line.

It has a combined TEMPO oxidation + homogenization process to prepare high-purity, high-transparency CNF.。

Products of multiple specifications are provided : solid content 1–8% , fiber diameter 10–50 nm can be customized.

The application development team can assist customers in implementing applications in coatings, membrane materials, cosmetics, composite materials, etc.

6. Conclusion

As a key technology for the industrial preparation the homogenization method of nanocellulose , has been used in mature, stable and green large-scale applications in Nanjing Tianlu Nanotechnology Co., Ltd. In the future, the company will continue to promote the implementation of nanocellulose in the fields of industrial materials, environmentally friendly packaging, life sciences and high-end manufacturing , and accelerate the upgrading of the green materials industry.