Abstract

This study aims to provide an approach for increasing the hydrophobicity of nanofibrillated cellulose in oil palm empty fruit bunches (NFC-OPEFBs) through surface modification using a sustainable cationic surfactant, i.e., cetyltrimethylammonium chloride derived from palmityl alcohol (CTAC-PA). The NFC-OPEFB was prepared by sulfuric acid treatment. The hydrophobicity of NFC-OPEFB was increased following modification using CTAC-PA, indicated by an increase in the water contact angle value. The dispersibility of the modified NFC-OPEFB (modNFC) in chloroform solution was more stable than that of unmodified NFC-OPEFB (unmodNFC) as observed via ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry and based on visual appearance. Observation through transmission electron microscopy confirmed that modNFC was completely dispersed in chloroform but undispersed in water. Furthermore, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis revealed that the functional groups of NFC-OPEFB were successfully modified using CTAC-PA, justifying the increase in their hydrophobicity characteristics. Peaks were observed at 2892 and 2921 cm⁻¹ for symmetrical and asymmetrical CH₂ from the long alkyl chain of CTAC, at 1480 cm⁻¹ for the trimethyl groups of the quaternary ammonium, and at approximately 805 cm⁻¹ for the C–Cl bond on the FTIR spectra of modNFC which were absent from the FTIR spectra of the unmodNFC. This work provides an eco-friendly way to enhance the hydrophobicity characteristics of NFC-OPEFB and expand the use of NFC-OPEFB in hydrophobic polymer matrices, such as poly (lactic acid), polyethylene, etc.

Graphic Abstract

中文翻译：

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棕榈基醇衍生的十六烷基三甲基氯化铵通过表面改性提高纳米原纤化纤维素的疏水性

摘要

这项研究旨在提供一种方法，通过使用可持续的阳离子表面活性剂，即源自棕榈醇的十六烷基三甲基氯化铵（CTAC-PA）进行表面改性，来提高油棕空果串（NFC-OPEFBs）中纳米原纤化纤维素的疏水性。通过硫酸处理制备NFC-OPEFB。使用CTAC-PA改性后，NFC-OPEFB的疏水性增加，这表明水接触角值增加。通过紫外可见分光光度法和基于视觉外观观察，改性NFC-OPEFB（modNFC）在氯仿溶液中的分散性比未改性NFC-OPEFB（unmodNFC）稳定。通过透射电子显微镜观察证实，modNFC完全分散在氯仿中但不分散在水中。此外，傅立叶变换红外（FTIR）光谱分析表明，使用CTAC-PA成功修饰了NFC-OPEFB的官能团，证明了其疏水性特征的增加。在2892和2921厘米处观察到峰^-1用于对称和不对称CH ₂从CTAC的长烷基链，在1480厘米^-1为季铵的三甲基基团，并在约805厘米^-1有关的FTIR光谱modNFC的C-Cl键，其unmodNFC的FTIR光谱中没有。这项工作提供了一种生态友好的方法，可增强NFC-OPEFB的疏水性并扩大NFC-OPEFB在疏水性聚合物基质（如聚乳酸，聚乙烯等）中的使用。

图形摘要