Effect of acid hydrolysis on regenerated kenaf core membrane produced using aqueous alkaline-urea systems

Carbohydr Polym. 2015 Jun 25:124:164-71. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.02.013. Epub 2015 Feb 21.

Abstract

Bleached kenaf core pulps (BKC) were hydrolyzed in H2SO4 (0.5M) at different time (0min to 90min) at room temperature. After the hydrolysis process, the viscosity average molecular weight (Mŋ) for BKC sample has reduced from 14.5×10(4) to 2.55×10(4). The hydrolyzed BKC was then dissolved in NaOH:urea:water and in LiOH:urea:water mixed solvent at the ratio of 7:12:81 and 4.6:15:80.4, respectively. The increased in hydrolysis time has decreased Mŋ of cellulose leading to easy dissolution process. Higher porosity and transparency with lower crystallinity index (CrI) of regenerated membrane produced can be achieved as the Mŋ reduced. The properties of membrane were observed through FESEM, UV-vis spectrophotometer and XRD. This study has proven that acid hydrolysis has reduced the Mŋ of cellulose, thus, enhanced the properties of regenerated membrane produced with assisted by alkaline/urea system.

Keywords: Cellulose membrane; Crystallinity index; Solubility; Sulphuric acid; Ubbelohde viscometer; Viscosity average molecular weight.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cellulose / chemistry*
  • Crystallization
  • Hibiscus / chemistry*
  • Hydrolysis
  • Lithium Compounds / chemistry
  • Molecular Weight
  • Porosity
  • Sodium Hydroxide / chemistry*
  • Solubility
  • Sulfuric Acids / chemistry*
  • Temperature
  • Time Factors
  • Urea / chemistry*
  • Viscosity
  • Water / chemistry
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Lithium Compounds
  • Sulfuric Acids
  • Water
  • Sodium Hydroxide
  • Urea
  • Cellulose
  • lithium hydroxide
  • sulfuric acid