Enhanced Cellulose Isolation from Sugarcane Bagasse through Sequential Alkali and Oxidative Treatment

Abstract

As the world seeks sustainable alternatives to fossil-based materials, agricultural residues like sugarcane bagasse are gaining prominence as valuable bioresources. Sugarcane bagasse, the fibrous waste left after juice extraction, is an agricultural residue particularly rich in cellulose, a biopolymer with immense potential for green materials innovation. The present work utilised sugarcane bagasse to obtain cellulose by optimising the concentrations of Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). Characterisation techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) were employed for detailed analysis. This article also includes the effect of NaOH and NaOCl concentration on the cellulose yield and the various possible applications of the obtained cellulose. To evaluate statistical significance, a one-way ANOVA was performed, complemented by Tukey’s multiple-comparison test. Compositional analysis showed that the cellulose content of raw sugarcane bagasse was 42.6 ± 1.5%. However, after alkali and bleaching treatment, the cellulose yield ranged from 42.6 ± 0.6% to 56.5 ± 0.5%. FTIR analysis confirmed the successful cellulose extraction from sugarcane bagasse, as evidenced by the disappearance of lignin- and hemicellulose-associated peaks and the appearance of characteristic cellulose absorption bands. XRD analysis revealed an increase in the crystallinity index from 29.8% in SCB to 53.7% in extracted cellulose. Morphological analysis using FE-SEM revealed significant surface differences between SCB and extracted cellulose. Statistical analysis revealed that NaOH and NaOCl amendments significantly increased cellulose yield (p ≤ 0.05) compared with raw sugarcane bagasse. The study highlights the immense potential of agricultural waste as a renewable and cost-effective source of cellulose. By leveraging these residues, industries can reduce their dependence on conventional raw materials while promoting sustainable, environmentally responsible practices.

Graphical Abstract

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