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Enhanced Hydrophobicity of Nanofibrillated Cellulose Through Surface Modification Using Cetyltrimethylammonium Chloride Derived from Palmityl Alcohol

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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.

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Abbreviations

NFC:

Nanofibrillated cellulose

OPEFB:

Oil palm empty fruit bunch

CPC-OPEFB:

Chemically purified cellulose of oil palm empty fruit bunch

CTAC-PA:

Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride derived from palmityl alcohol

FTIR:

Fourier transform infrared

NCC:

Nanocrystalline cellulose

PVA:

Poly (vinyl alcohol)

PLA:

Poly (lactic acid)

PE:

Polyethylene

PP:

Polypropylene

CTAB:

Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

DDDAB:

Didodecylammonium bromide

DHDAB:

Dihexadecylammonium bromide

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Acknowledgements

Authors would like to thank the College of Vocational Studies and Surfactant and Bioenergy Research Center (SBRC), Bogor Agricultural University (IPB University) for the resources and laboratory facilities support. Many thanks are expressed to Mr. Nugraha Edhi Suyatma for his support and help in editing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agroindustrial Technology, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB University), Bogor, Indonesia

    Dwi Yuni Hastati, Erliza Hambali, Khaswar Syamsu & Endang Warsiki

  2. College of Vocational Studies, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB University), Bogor, Indonesia

    Dwi Yuni Hastati

  3. Surfactant and Bioenergy Research Center (SBRC), Bogor Agricultural University (IPB University), Bogor, Indonesia

    Erliza Hambali & Endang Warsiki

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  1. Dwi Yuni Hastati
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by [DYH], [EH], [KS], and [EW]. The first draft of the manuscript was written by [DYH] and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Dwi Yuni Hastati or Erliza Hambali.

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Hastati, D.Y., Hambali, E., Syamsu, K. et al. Enhanced Hydrophobicity of Nanofibrillated Cellulose Through Surface Modification Using Cetyltrimethylammonium Chloride Derived from Palmityl Alcohol. Waste Biomass Valor 12, 5147–5159 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-021-01366-5

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