Simultaneous microwave-assisted phosphotungstic acid catalysis for rapid improvements on the accessibility and reactivity of Kraft-based dissolving pulp

Improving the cellulose accessibility and reactivity in an efficient and convenient way has become the focused issue in the field of dissolving pulp manufacturing. We herein demonstrate a simple yet efficient strategy, namely a simultaneous microwave (MW)-assisted phosphotungstic acid (PTA) catalysis (MW-PTAsim). The MW-PTAsim treatment was efficient to improve Fock reactivity from 49.1 % to 85.8 % and decrease viscosity from 561 to 360 mL/g within 10 min, which was superior to the single MW treatment and the sequential MW-PTAseq treatment. Besides, the MW-PTAsim treated fiber had rougher and more fibrillated surfaces with an enhanced fiber accessibility, showing increased specific surface area (SSA) from 1.43 to 6.31 m2/g, mean pore diameter (MPD) from 6.92 to 11.20 nm and water retention value (WRV) from 101 % to 172 %. These positive enhancements are mainly due to a synergy that MW-enhanced rotation of PTA mediums was served as “spinning cutters” to attack the fibers, plus MW-accelerated PTA transfer and catalytic hydrolysis further improved the fiber accessibility. Moreover, PTA also demonstrates a high reusability and chemical stability. This process offers an effective and sustainable alternative for manufacturing a premium dissolving pulp. [Display omitted] •A simultaneous treatment for an enhanced reactivity of dissolving pulp was developed.•The treatment (MW-PTAsim) consisted of microwave radiation and PTA catalysis.•A synergy in the simultaneous treatment contributed to the enhanced pulp reactivity.•The recycled PTA maintained a high catalytic activity after several cycles.