Biopolymeric films obtained from the parenchyma cells of Agave salmiana leaves

Here, we report a non-aggressive method to obtain nanocellulose (NC) from the parenchyma of Agave salmiana leaves. This is accomplished by using a low concentration of a “piranha solution” to achieve solubilization and remove non-cellulosic components, isolating the NC in a single hydrolysis step. X-ray diffraction analysis has shown an increase in the crystallinity index of cellulose from 35 to 60 a result of the hydrolysis, and analysis by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy demonstrated that the cellulose had been purified. To test the thermal, mechanical, and optical properties of the NC, it was used to produce a paper. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy showed that the paper was formed from cellulose nanoplatelets (CNPs) stacked on top of each other. Graphical abstract