Bagasse nanocellulose (Saccharum officinarum L.): process optimization and characterization

This research aimed to determine the effect of sulfuric acid, the time of acid hydrolysis, and centrifuge rate in the synthesis process of nanocellulose from Saccharum Officinarum L. cellulose. Bagasse cellulose was isolated using three variations of acids, such as nitric acid, which wasthe mixture of sulfuric acid-nitric acid and the mixture of sulfuric acid-chloride acid. Cellulose, which was obtained from this process, was then hydrolyzed using sulfuric acid to produce nanocellulose. The process had used 40%; 45%; 50%; 55% and 60% of sulfuric acid concentration. The time variation of acid hydrolysis was 15’; 30’ and 45’. The centrifuge rate of nanocellulose process was optimized to 1500; 3500 and 6000 rpm. Thenanocellulose formation was affected by sulfuric acid concentration, acid hydrolysis time, and centrifuge rate. The optimum sulfuric acid concentration was 50% and the hydrolysis time was30’ in temperature 800C. Centrifuge rate had an important role in the nanocellulose particle separation process. At 1500 rpm, the colloid suspension could notbe separated. On the other hand, at 3500 and 6000 rpm, the colloid suspension was separated. Variation of acids (nitric acid: sulfuric acid: chloride acid) in cellulose isolation process affected the size of nanocellulose. It wassynthesized with sulfuric acids, such as 169.9 nm; 923 nm, and 1125 nm respectively. The result of FTIR spectrum analysis showed the disappearance of absorption at 1734 cm-1; 1602.84cm-1; 1512.19 cm-1; 1240.22 cm-1 and 867.96 cm-1of area in nanocellulose spectrum after hydrolysis. It means that hydrolysis can remove lignin and hemicellulose from bagasse. The obtained crystallinity index of bagasse nanocellulose was 75.95%