HCl Gas: A Versatile Catalyst for Retrieving Nanocellulose and Sugars form Biomass

While acid hydrolysis can be seen as an outdated or, at best, traditional means of degrading cellulose into nanocrystals or sugars, the use of HCl gas has demonstrated viable, modern pathways to added value products from biomass. This webinar summarizes the application of HCl gas on diverse cellulosic substrates, including various cellulose polymorphs, solid wood, bacterial cellulose, holocellulose, and agricultural residues. Processes leading directly into high yields of nanocrystals are presented.

Learning outcomes 

• Identify the main benefits and challenges related to HCl gas hydrolysis of cellulosic fibers
• Give examples of products and their yields acquired by HCl gas hydrolysis