Crystallinity, Tapping and Bulk Density of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) Isolated from Rice Husk (RH)

Abstract

The isolation of microcryostalline cellulose (MCC) from rice husk (RH) via acid hydrolysis process has been successfully prepared by using different molarity of nitric acid (HNO3) and hydrochloric acids (HCl). The properties of MCC obtained such as tapping and bulk densities, thermal stability and percentage crystallinity were studied. Tapping and bulk densities shown comparable results regardless of different acid used that reflecting the potential of MCC as reinforcement filler in composite fabrication. The usage of 2M HNO3 gives highest percentage crystallinity (69%) in comparison with 2M HCl (49%). The result indicates the stability of MCC-RH obtained using HNO3 has great potential to replace strong acid in acid hydrolysis process.