Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) from Ammophila arenaria, a natural and a fast growing grass plant.

The production of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) with a high yield from Ammophila arenariahas been explored and the ensuing CNFs were characterized in terms of morphology, crystallinity and rheological properties. Ammophila arenaria (marram grass) is a perennial grass plant with high tolerance to drought, which is growing naturally in nutritionally poor sand with low organic matter. Fibers were extracted from the plant by conventional alkaline pulping and bleaching with a yield around 50% based on the dry weight of the plant.