Optimized Isolation and Characterization of Cellulose for Extraction of Cellulose Nanocrystals from Ensete Ventricosum Pseudo-Stem Fiber Using Two-Stage Extraction Method

Abstract Alkali treatment followed by alkalinized hydrogen peroxide delignification yielded 73.90% cellulose from Ensete Ventricosum pseudo stem fiber, with parameters optimized using response surface methodology. The optimal reaction parameters were 157 minutes, 73 ℃, and 3.8% NaOH concentration. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the thermal properties, crystal structure, chemical structure, and morphological structure of isolated cellulose (SEM). Based on the findings, cellulose has a rod-like shape. The XRD results revealed that the crystallinity index of cellulose increased from 65 to 75 percent when compared with raw Enseteventricosum pseudo stem fiber (Ensete fiber). The resultant cellulose demonstrated relatively higher thermal stability than the unprocessed ensete fiber, according to the thermogravimetric examination. When compared to raw ensete fiber, FTIR analysis revealed that cellulose had a modified chemical functional structure, which suggested that alkali and alkalized hydrogen peroxide treatments had altered the chemical structure of cellulose. According to the results, it is possible to extract cellulose nanocrystals thanks to the isolated cellulose's high yield, great crystallinity index, strong thermal stability, and morphological structure.