Synthesis of nanocellulose fibres from rubber wood fibres using chemo-thermo-mechanical treatment
This study aims to synthesize nanocellulose from Hevea brasiliensis fibres or commonly known as rubber wood fibres. Rubber trees are able to grow abundantly in Malaysia due to its close proximity to the equator (within 15° latitude). When the production of latex dwindles considerably, the trees are...
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| Format: | Undergraduates Project Papers |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2014
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| Online Access: | http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/12447/ http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/12447/ http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/12447/1/FKKSA%20-%20STEPHANIE%20MAXINE%20GOMEZ.PDF |
| Summary: | This study aims to synthesize nanocellulose from Hevea brasiliensis fibres or commonly known as rubber wood fibres. Rubber trees are able to grow abundantly in Malaysia due to its close proximity to the equator (within 15° latitude). When the production of latex
dwindles considerably, the trees are felled and are replaced with newer saplings. Hence, the end —of-cycle trees can be used as a rich source of synthesis of nanocellulose. The wood fibres obtained were pre-treated using sodium anthraquinone. This was followed by a series of treatment with a mixture of sodium chlorite and acetic acid as well as sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide. The bleached pulps were then air dried and soaked in distilled water for 8 hours. It was then mixed in a mechanical blender for 15 minutes. Diluted suspensions (0.3%) are prepared and put through the sonicator for a
period of four hours at 650C. Fibres obtained were then examined by the Mastersizer to determine the morphological size of the wood fibres. After sonicating for about four hours, the modal range of fibres obtained were 158.49 - 181.97 (jtm). Fibres were then run through the homogenizer for a period 10, 20, 30 and 40 runs. After 40 runs, the modal range was between 0.142 - 0.200 (gm). The nanocellulose fibres were studied further by
examining with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). There was a disappearance of vibration peaks at 1730.28 and 1234 cm-1 from spectra of treated fibres
which shows the removal of hemicellulose and lignin components respectively. Images obtained from the FESEM shows that the chemical treatment resulted in increased
roughness and striations of fibres. It also showed the average diameter achieved after chemo -mechanical treatment to be 160 nm. |
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