Preparation of Cellulose Microfibrils from Banana (Musa acuminata) Pseudo-Stem Waste

摘要

Cellulose microfibril from banana pseudo-stem fiber waste has been isolated and characterised. Isolation of microfibril cellulose from raw fibers was achieved using alkaline treatment and bleaching. The treated and untreated samples were characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Characterizations of treated and untreated samples were compared. XRD studies shows that the treated cellulose prepared by alkaline and bleaching treatment was more crystalline than the untreated banana fiber. Surface morphological studies using FESEM shows there was a reduction in fiber diameter during the chemical treatment.