title: Isolation and characterization of cellulose nanofibrils from arecanut husk fibre.
abstract: The isolation of cellulose nanofibres from arecanut husk was achieved by a chemo-mechanical method thereby opening up a means for utilizing a waste product more effectively. The chemical processes involved alkali treatment, acid hydrolysis, and bleaching. The mechanical fibrillation was performed via grinding and homogenization. The chemical constituents at different stages of treatment of fibres were analyzed according to the ASTM standards. Morphological characterization was done using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The isolated nanofibers had an average diameter of below 10 nanometres and a very high aspect ratio in the range 120-150. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) showed the effective removal of the non cellulosic components. The crystallinity was increased with successive treatments as shown by the X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The TGA studies revealed a good thermal stability for the isolated nanofibres.
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, 682022 Kerala, India; Department of Chemistry, K.K.T.M. Govt. College, Pullut, Kodungallur, Thrissur, India.
authors.forename: Julie Chandra
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: C S
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, 682022 Kerala, India; Department of Chemistry, Govt. College Chittur, Palakkad, India.
authors.forename: Neena
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, 682022 Kerala, India. Electronic address: sncusat@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sunil K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Narayanankutty
mesh_terms: D001114:Areca / Q000737:chemistry*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009754:Nuts / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D014866:Waste Products; D002482:Cellulose
keywords: Arecanut; Cellulose nanofibres; Cellulose nanofibrils; Homogenization