Evaluation Studies of Hydrogen Bond, Crystallinity and Water Propensity of Acid Treated Bambusa vulgaris Cellulose Particles

Authors: Gbenebor OP, Ochulor EF, Shogunwa AA Adeosun SO

DOI Info: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6725623

ABSTRACT

Cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer on earth has found its use in different applications. Studies have demonstrated cellulose response to acid and alkali solutions in terms of reduction in polymerization degree, crystallinity and morphological changes. This research focuses on inter and intra hydrogen bonding, crystallinity and water retention strength of cellulose particles exposed to acids. Bamboo particles obtained from bamboo plant was treated with 1 M NaOH for 1 hr. The residue (cellulose) was washed to neutral pH and oven dried at 70 ^oC for 4 hrs. Three grams of cellulose particles (CP) was soaked in 1 M each of HCl (HCP) and H₃PO₄ (H3CP) for 1 week. Samples were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Average maximum hydrogen bond energy (EHav) from FTIR was 4.45 KCal for HCP and 4.13 kCal for H3CP. Crystallinity of 55.9, 73 and 78% are calculated for CP, H3CP- and HCP respectively. The water molecule holding capacities from DSC was calculated to be 1.34, 2.30 and 11.30 J/g for CP, H3CP, and HCP. Treatment with acid improves the quality of cellulose as amorphous constituents such as lignin and hemicellulose present in CP are eliminated.

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