Utilization of Nypa fruticans’s fronds residue as microfibrillated cellulose by chemical and mechanical treatments

Abstract

The synthesis of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from under-utilized Nipah (Nypa fruticans) fiber was employed by chemical and mechanical treatments. MFC was synthesized through a 10% NaOH pretreatment, subsequently hydrolyzed with 35% maleic acid at varying temperatures and durations, and completed with 30 min of sonication. In addition, MFC without 10% NaOH pretreatment was synthesized using increased maleic acid concentrations at reduced temperatures and shorter durations, followed by harsh mechanical processing with a supermass colloider (SMC). The zeta potential value indicated that both methods effectively produced microfibrillated cellulose in a stable suspension. Defibrillation of cellulose into microsizes, referred to as lignin-containing microfibrillated cellulose (L-MFC), can be accomplished via a weak acid hydrolysis process using maleic acid, followed by a more intensive mechanical process, such as a supermass colloider. This method has demonstrated the ability to produce a stable MFC suspension with a reduced MFC diameter from under-utilized fiber of Nipah’s fronds.