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Preparation and Fundamental Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystal from Oil Palm Fronds Biomass

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Abstract

The objective of this work was to isolate cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) from oil palm fronds (Elaeis guineensis) and its subsequent characterization. Isolation involves sodium hydroxide/anthraquinone pulping with mechanical refining followed by total chlorine free bleaching (includes oxygen delignification, hydrogen peroxide oxidation and peracetic acid treatment) before acid hydrolysis. Bleaching significantly decreased kappa number and increased α-cellulose percentage of fibers as confirmed by Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry standards. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis revealed that acid hydrolysis along with bleaching improved crystallinity index and thermal stability of the extracted nanocrystals. It was observed that CNC maintained its cellulose 1 polymorph despite hydrolysis treatment. Mean diameter as observed by TEM and average fiber aspect ratio of obtained CNC was 7.44 ± 0.17 nm and 16.53 ± 3.52, respectively making it suitable as a reinforcing material for nanocomposite.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Universiti Sains Malaysia for the awarded Postdoctoral Fellowship. The authors are gratefully acknowledged Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia for providing Research University Grant (RUI-1001/PTEKIND/814255).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences and Technology, Gandung Labtex XI, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia

    Rudi Dungani & P. Aditiawati

  2. School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia

    Abdulwahab F. Owolabi, Chaturbhuj K. Saurabh, H. P. S. Abdul Khalil, C. I. C. M. Hazwan, Kamoldeen A. Ajijolakewu & M. M. Masri

  3. Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria

    Abdulwahab F. Owolabi & Kamoldeen A. Ajijolakewu

  4. Laboratory of Biocomposite Technology, Institute of Tropical Forestry & Forest Products, University Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

    H. P. S. Abdul Khalil & Paridah M. Tahir

  5. Department of Microbiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

    Kamoldeen A. Ajijolakewu

  6. Faculty of Forestry, Mulawarman University, Campus Gunung Kelua, Samarinda, 75119, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

    E. Rosamah

Authors
  1. Rudi Dungani
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  2. Abdulwahab F. Owolabi
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  3. Chaturbhuj K. Saurabh
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  4. H. P. S. Abdul Khalil
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  7. Kamoldeen A. Ajijolakewu
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  8. M. M. Masri
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Correspondence to Chaturbhuj K. Saurabh.

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Dungani, R., Owolabi, A.F., Saurabh, C.K. et al. Preparation and Fundamental Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystal from Oil Palm Fronds Biomass. J Polym Environ 25, 692–700 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-016-0854-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-016-0854-8

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