title: Biofibres from biofuel industrial byproduct-Pongamia pinnataseed hull.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Biodiesel production usingPongamia pinnata (P. pinnata)seeds results in large amount of unused seed hull. These seed hulls serve as a potential source for cellulose fibres which can be exploited as reinforcement in composites.
  
  
  METHODS
  These seed hulls were processed using chlorination and alkaline extraction process in order to isolate cellulose fibres. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) analysis demonstrated the morphological changes in the fibre structure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cellulose microfibres of diameter 6-8 µm, hydrodynamic diameter of 58.4 nm and length of 535 nm were isolated. Thermal stability was enhanced by 70 °C and crystallinity index (CI) by 19.8% ensuring isolation of crystalline cellulose fibres.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sequential chlorination and alkaline treatment stemmed to the isolation of cellulose fibres fromP. pinnataseed hull. The isolated cellulose fibres possessed enhanced morphological, thermal, and crystalline properties in comparison withP.pinnataseed hull. These cellulose microfibres may potentially find application as biofillers in biodegradable composites by augmenting their properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, India.
authors.forename: Puttaswamy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manjula
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, India.
authors.forename: Govindan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Srinikethan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, India.
authors.forename: K Vidya
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Shetty
keywords: Cellulose microfibres; Chlorination; Hemicellulose; Lignin; Pongamia pinnata seed hull