Optimizing the Cellulose Content of Shea Butter Bark Wood Fibre through Alkali Pretreatment for Composite Application

Government Rabboni Mike

doi:10.17485/ijst/2020/v13i04/147288

Abstract

Objectives: This study was aimed to optimize the cellulose content (CC) increase with the percentage removal of hemicellulose (HC) and lignin content (LC) of shell butter bark wood fiber (SBBWF) by alkalization process. The truth remains that natural fibers have many uses to be employed in all human activities. The minimization of plant waste is a secret for close economy by effectively converting it to useful ventures. Methods/findings: The SBBWF was inserted in variant solutions for the concentration of sodium hydroxide (CSH) at 3–9 wt% and the soaking time (ST) for 6–18 h. The SBBWF before and after pretreatment were analyzed through gravimetric method and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) to determine its composition and organic substance with corresponding functionality, respectively. The optimization was examined using the central composite design (CCD), an option in response surface methodology (RSM). The results at optimal conditions indicated that the increment in CC with the reduction of HC and LC was 97.9988%, 44.5245%, and 45.716%, respectively. The factors at this junction were CSH and ST at 3 wt% and 18 h, respectively. The R2 values of CC, HC and LC had an approximation nearer to 1. The errors approximated by RSM and experimental readings were <0.43%. Application: Therefore, the modified SBBWF at this state is potential material in the component of composite manufacturing to be applied in domestic utilization. Keywords: Shell Butter Bark Wood Fiber, SBBWF, Wealth from Waste, Natural Source, Wood Fibre.

Highlights

Natural fiber from a wood source has been a potential material as a component for the field of science, engineering and technology in solution to mankind problems
The shell butter bark wood fiber (SBBWF) was separated with Whatman filter paper and cleaned with heated water for 50 °C
The solid SBBWF at the top of the filter was maintained at 100 °C in an oven for a fixed weight (m1)

Summary

Introduction

Natural fiber from a wood source has been a potential material as a component for the field of science, engineering and technology in solution to mankind problems. The introduction of fiber from a woody substance in daily activities has geometrically increased globally. In the world at present, technocrats in all area of studies have emphasized to utilize all wastes in the environment with the objectives that these can be translated to useful materials for manufacturers to be applied in both domestic and industrial purpose [12,13,14,15]. The advantage of land usage in other works of life increases when properly embarks on completely harnessing of wastes for a useful endeavor [17]

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Conclusion