Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are promising green scaffolds for broad application prospect as reinforced composites. In order to improve the cost competitiveness of CNFs, we combined ethanol extracting and CNFs preparation from solid-state fermented sweet sorghum bagasse with alkaline distillation. In this study, the effects of different alkali loading on extracted ethanol, characteristics of alkali distilled vinasse and performances of CNFs prepared with high pressure homogenization method were investigated. The results showed that only trace alkali was found in the distilled ethanol, which can be removed in the subsequent purification process. Crystallinity of pretreated samples was increased and cellulose fibers were exposed during alkaline distillation. The obtained CNFs were interconnected with fiber bundles forming entangled networks. The degradation temperature of the CNFs was increased effectively. Black liquor produced during vinasse washing was far less than conventional pulping making. The process is conducive to industrialization development of CNFs preparation.

Cellulose nanofibers;;Bioethanol;;Sweet sorghum;;Alkaline distillation;;High pressure homogenization;