Characterisation of Elementary Kenaf Fibres Extracted Using HNO3 and H2O2/CH3COOH

Abstract

In this study, elementary kenaf fibres were separated from fibre bundles using two different treatments. The first involved treating with nitric acid (HNO3) while the second used a mixture of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and acetic acid (CH3COOH). Both treatments were successful in isolating the elementary fibres but the H2O2/CH3COOH gave a better fibre yield and required a shorter treatment time. The fibres treated with HNO3 had an average length of 0.2 mm, an aspect ratio of 15 and a defect density of 21 defects per mm. In contrast, the H2O2/CH3COOH treated fibres had a length of 2.3 mm, an aspect ratio of 179 and a defect density of 14 defects per mm. Both treatments removed lignin, pectin, and waxes. They also increased cellulose crystallinity in the fibres, especially for HNO3 treatment. However, they resulted in some oxidation of cellulose. The H2O2/CH3COOH treatment gave a substantial improvement in the thermal stability of the fibres while a marked decrease was observed for the HNO3 treatment.