CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOFIBRILLATED CELLULOSE PRODUCED FROM OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH FIBERS (OPEFB) USING ULTRASOUND

Abstract

Characterization of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) using ultrasound has been investigated. Cellulose from OPEFB pulp was gained by soda-anthraquinone (AQ) pulping and bleaching processes. The ultrasound with 20 kHz frequencies and 700 W output power was used in order to produce the NFC. Results were assessed by using fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for structural analysis. The thermal stabilities were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and crystalline index was measured using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Meanwhile, the morphology structure was carried out by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The diameters of the OPEFB-NFC were obtained between 5 to 23 nm. The FTIR results showed that removal of lignin, hemicelluloses and waxes after bleaching process. The TGA and XRD analysis showed that OPEFB-NFC had higher thermal stability and crystallinity as compared to OPEFB-Pulp and OPEFB-Cellulose. Finally, it is demonstrated that OPEFB-NFC has good potential in vast application especially for reinforced composite materials.