Abstract
In this research, cellulose nanocrystals were isolated from locally grown baobab pod fibres. Fibres were treated chemically using NaOH and then hydrolysed using Nitric acid. The effect of NaOH treatment and acid hydrolysis on surface morphology, crystallinity, and thermal properties of fibres were investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy/Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), X-ray Diffraction(XRD) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA). From the results evaluated, cellulose content of 17.9 % was recorded after NaOH treatment and 25.3 % was recorded after acid hydrolysis, the crystallite size was found to be 3.003 nm and thermal stability of the fibre was enhanced after chemical treatment and acid hydrolysis. Based on the results obtained, it shows that nanocellulose hydrolyzed from baobab pod fibres has excellent properties for use as polymer reinforcement and for other engineering applications.
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