title: Effect of hydrothermal pretreatment on solubility and formation of kenaf cellulose membrane and hydrogel.
abstract: The hydrothermal pretreatment on kenaf core pulp (KCP) was carried out using an autoclave heated in a oil bath at 140°C for 0.5/1/3/5h. The hydrothermal pretreated kenaf (HPK) was dissolved in a LiOH/urea aqueous solution and subsequently used to produce cellulose membrane and hydrogel. The effects of hydrothermal pretreatment time on solubility, viscosity, crystallinity and morphology of the cellulose membrane and hydrogel were investigated. The hydrothermal pretreatment leads to higher cellulose solubility and higher viscosity of the cellulose solution. The formation of cellulose II and crystallinity index of the cellulose membrane and hydrogel were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The pore size of the cellulose membrane and hydrogel displayed an upward trend with respect to the hydrothermal pretreatment period observed under a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). This finding provides an efficient procedure to improve the solubility, viscosity and properties of regenerated cellulose products.
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Sinyee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. Electronic address: sarani_zakaria@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sarani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zakaria
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Chin Hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chia
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Farah Nadia Mohammad
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Padzil
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Peivun
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ng
keywords: Alkaline aqueous solution; Autoclave; Rapid dissolution; Regenerated cellulose; Urea