SYNTHESIS OF CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE (CMC) FROM BANANA TREE STEM: INFLUENCE OF RATIO OF CELLULOSE WITH SODIUM CHLOROACETATE TO PROPERTIES OF CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE (CMC)

Banana tree stem contain of 63-64% cellulose that can be processed into more valuable product. In this research, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) from banana tree stem was prepared through alkalization and carboxymethylation process. The aims of this research was to investigate the effect of cellulose to sodium chloroacetate 1:1 and 1:2 in carboxymethylation process on the properties of CMC. The aims of this study is to determine the ratio of NaCl content, purity of CMC, and degree of substitution. The result showed that sample with ratio 1: 2 between cellulose with sodium chloroacetate resulted have greater NaCl content, lower purity of CMC, and a greater degree of substitution