Abstract
Nitrogen content is a paramount significance in predicting nitrocellulose. Nitrocellulose with high nitrogen content (>12.5%) can be used for propellant, while low nitrogen content (<12.5%) can be applied for the production of ink, paint and leather finishes. In this preliminary study, the effect of mole ratio of sulphuric acid to nitric acid, reaction temperature and time towards nitrogen content in nitrocellulose was investigated. Nitrocellulose was synthesized using nata de coco as bacterial cellulose source via nitration method. Nitrocellulose with percentage of nitrogen content of 11.74% to 12.75% was obtained when 2 to 4 mole ratio of sulphuric to nitric acid was used with operating temperature and time ranging 20°C to 40°C and 20 minutes to 40 minutes respectively. Analysis of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) displayed the reduction of hydroxyl group in nitrocellulose proving that several hydroxyl group in cellulose was successfully replaced by nitryl group. Other characterizations such as elemental analyser, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were evaluated to support the result.
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