Evaluation of the extraction of cellulose fibers from banana pseudostems with potential use in the paper industry

Cellulose fibers were obtained from banana pseudostem residues by two different chemical routes: 30% sodium hydroxide and 8% hydrogen peroxide. The average yields obtained were 24.4% and 49.3%, respectively. Additionally, according to the SEM results, more fibrillous material is obtained under alkaline conditions. On the other hand, XRD diffractograms of the materials obtained by both methods, show similarities, however, a peak in 2θ = 16 ° in the material treated with H2O2, suggests that the material that was not completely degraded and therefore concluding greater effectiveness with the alkali treatment. Thus, the results obtained to date are not conclusive, therefore, the fibers obtained are still characterized by other complementary SEM analyzes and other techniques to define their dimensions and morphology with greater precision and from these results determine the possible products of the paper industry for which said fibers could be used.