The physical and chemical natures of cellulose extracted from torch ginger stems

摘要

Cellulose was extracted from torch ginger stems through alkali and bleaching treatments. The material obtained after each stage of the treatments was carefully characterised and its chemical composition was determined. Structural analysis was carried out by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results indicated that the progressive removal of hemicellulose and lignin from the extracted cellulose. The α-cellulose content was increased extensively with successive treatments. The morphology observation with scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that the average diameter of the extracted cellulose was reduced from 300 urn to 12 μm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the crystallinity increased after each treatment with an increased of the fibre crystallinity from 45% to 67%. The thermal stability of the fibre was found to increase at various purification stages when compared to the raw material.