Continuation of Study of Modified Cellulose Nanocrystals for Rendering Odors and Pesticide Remediation

Date: March 21, 2021

Principal Investigators: Daniel C. Whitehead, Clemson University and Frank Alexis, Yachay Tech University, Ecuador

Keywords: Nanocrystals, Rendering Odors, Pesticide Remediation

Summary:

Whitehead (Clemson University) and Alexis (Yachay Tech) have been pursuing a multi-year project with FPRF and ACREC to develop a series of functional nanomaterials – materials on the scale of one billionth of a meter – to capture odors and other environmental contaminants associated with rendering operations. In the context of odor, by decorating the nanomaterials with appropriate reactive sites, offending volatile byproducts can be absorbed by the formation of either ionic or covalent bonds. In this manner, the malodorants are chemically modified so as

to both harness them onto the biodegradable materials for disposal and to render them less odorous. At the beginning of our work with FPRF, the main target of efforts was the development of highly engineered, biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (i.e. PLA) nanomaterials whose surface could be decorated with appropriate reactive sites (i.e. functional groups) that would, in turn, capture or destroy malodorous volatile organic byproducts of rendering processes. These first-generation materials were effective but costly. So, in the next phase of our study, we successfully modified cheaper, natural materials including clays and cellulose nanocrystals. These cheaper and easier-to-synthesize materials were also highly effective for the capture of malodors associated with rendering processes. More recent studies have focused on modified cellulose nanocrystals. These materials are not only highly effective at capturing odorous molecules from the air, but can also be used to remove contaminants from water and fats such as organophosphorus pesticides and polyfluorinated surfactants. Finally, we have made significant strides toward developing a scalable, affordable synthesis of the modified cellulose nanocrystals from bulk cotton on a kilogram scale. We are moving ever closer to realizing our goal of developing a scalable, cheap material for a next-generation alternative to established methods for odor remediation. The same materials will also be useful for other industry-relevant environmental applications. In this context, the materials described herein might present several uses in an industrial setting. The materials could be employed as a rapid-use odor adsorbent in an emergency or spill situation. Further, the materials could, in principle, be incorporated into existing odor remediation equipment as an added means for odor elimination. The obvious long-term goal would be to develop an appropriate formulation of nanomaterials that would compete with or ideally supplant existing odor elimination measures. We envision that the materials may also be useful for removing undesirable chemical agents from rendering wastewater, contaminated rendered fat samples, etc.