Plasma Modification of Jute Cellulose for Enhanced Carboxymethylation Reaction

In this study, atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma (APGDP) was employed to modify the surface of cellulose derived from jute, and its impact on the carboxymethylation process leading to the production of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with a high degree of substitution (DS) was investigated. Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to characterize the cellulose and CMC. The outcomes demonstrated that plasma treatment enhanced carboxymethylation, raising the DS value of cellulose, molecular weight, and water solubility. The DS of CMC was found to be 2.28 with 20 min plasma treatment of cellulose. FE-SEM images revealed that the fibers treated with plasma had a narrower width and a more uneven surface that enhanced the carboxymethylation of cellulose. The characteristic absorption bands of CMC corresponding to the C─O─C, ─CH₂, and ─COO groups were observed at approximately 1040, 1408, and 1600 cm⁻¹, respectively. The thermal stability and crystallinity of cellulose decreased on carboxymethylation. The rheology of the CMC solution was also investigated. The viscosity of the CMC solution decreased with temperature and increased with the plasma modification of cellulose.