The production of nanocrystalline cellulose from oil palm fruit fibers using chemical treatment

Abstract

Palm fruit fiber is one of waste from palm oil mill processes which its utilization could be much improved. Palm fruit fiber itself contains cellulose and the source is abundantly available in natural resources. The aim of this study was to manufacture nanocrystalline cellulose from palm fruit fiber waste. Nanocrystalline cellulose was prepared by using acid hydrolysis with sulfuric acid as hydrolysis agent. In this research, various acid concentrations were applied viz. 50, 55, 60, and 65%. The results showed that NCC with 50% sulfuric acid concentration hydrolysis successfully obtained highest crystallinity index of 79.15% and yield of 36.4% with 60% sulfuric acid concentration. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) of nanocrystalline cellulose showed appearances of authentic functional groups which indicated cellulose presence in certain wavenumber. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) results of nanocrystalline cellulose has average diameter of 50-500 nm.