Structural and Thermal Properties of Cellulose Microfiber Isolated from Typha Australis by Sequential Alkali-Oxidative Treatment

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the feasibility of cellulose microfibers extraction from a wetland plant (Typha australis) and to assess its suitability as a source of bio-micro fibers for green composites. The method was based on an alkali sodium hydroxide pretreatment and subsequently an environmentally friendly hydrogen peroxide bleaching process for extracting microfiber. Alkali treatments resulted in fiber separation from leaves by partially removing the hemicellulose and lignin and an oxidative treatment significantly enhanced the effective defibrillation. The effectiveness of this method was confirmed by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). FTIR analysis showed the removal of non-cellulosic materials from the fibers in sequential alkali-bleaching treatments and changes in the absorption of cellulose functional groups. The cellulose content in the fiber increased from 43% to 75% after chemical treatment. XRD analysis showed the increase in the crystallinity of chemically treated fibers from 28% to 63% due to the removal of amorphous components as hemicellulose and lignin. The SEM images confirmed the defibrillation of the Typha fibers with a rigid structure and without degradation after the sequential alkali-bleaching treatments.