Exploration on the characteristics of cellulose microfibers from Palmyra palm fruits |
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| Authors: | K Obi Reddy C Uma Maheswari M S Dhlamini V P Kommula |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Physics, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africaobireddyk80@gmail.com;3. Department of Chemical Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa;4. Department of Physics, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa;5. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana |
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| Abstract: | To obtain cellulose microfibers from Palmyra palm fruit fibers, a new succession of specific chemical treatments including acidified chlorination, alkalization, and acid hydrolysis have been developed. Cellulose microfibers obtained were characterized by different techniques. The chemical analysis indicated an increase in α-cellulose content and decrease in lignin and hemicellulose for the cellulose microfibers over raw fibers. Fourier transform infrared and 13C NMR spectra confirmed the removal of non-cellulosic (lignin and hemicellulose) components after chemical treatments. The X-ray diffraction results revealed that the cellulose I was partly transformed into cellulose II by chemical treatments and the crystallinity index of cellulose microfibers was significantly increased as compared to raw fibers owing to removal of non-cellulosic components. Thermogravimetric analysis results demonstrated that the thermal stability was enhanced noticeably for cellulose microfibers than for the raw fibers. The scanning electron micrographs illustrated cleaner and rough surfaces for the cellulose microfibers when compared to those of raw fibers. |
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| Keywords: | Cellulose microfibers crystallinity morphology Palmyra palm fibers spectral analysis thermal stability |
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