Effect of Hydrochloric Acid Hydrolysis under Sonication-Hydrothermal Process to Produce Cellulose Nanocrystal from OPEFB

Abstract

Abstract An approach for hydrolyzing cellulose nanocrystals from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) presented through hydrochloric acid hydrolysis under sonication-hydrothermal conditions. The influence of concentration, reaction time and acid to cellulose ratio will be studies toward the yield, crystallinity, microstructure and thermal stability. The highest yield of cellulose nanocrystals up to 74.82%, crystallinity until 78.59%, and a maximum degradation temperature (Tmax) of 339.82°C can be achieved through hydrolysis using 3M HCl at 110°C during 1 hours. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated higher diffraction peak pattern at 2θ = 22,6ᴼ and low diffraction peak pattern at 2θ = 18ᴼ. All of cellulose nanocrystals showed crystalline size under 1 nm, it is indicated that sonication-hydrothermal process can reduce crystalline size of cellulose. Infrared spectroscopy analysis showed there has been deletion of lignin and hemicellulose that are shown at spectrum. Cellulose nanocrystals morphology showed more compact structure and well-ordered surface arrangement than cellulose morphology. Cellulose nanocrystals also have good thermal stability as indicated by high maximum degradation temperature.