This article investigated the cellulose obtained from sugarcane bagasse by five different extraction mercerization methods. The comparison of the methods gives a clearer picture of that is more effective and feasible for production of SCB cellulose. All the celluloses were characterised by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Optical Microscope (OM). All the methods led to white material resembling pure cellulose due to removal of non-cellulosic constituents as can be seen by disappearance of aromatic bands. The removal indicated a decrease in diameter and improved thermal stability in most methods. The materials in general stand a better chance of competing as fillers for polymeric composites.
Keywords
Sugar cane bagasse; extraction methods; cellulose; crystallinity
