Author(s)

Tshwafo E. Motaung^*, Teboho C. Mokhena

CSIR Materials Science and Manufacturing, Polymers and Composites Competence Area, Nonwovens and Composites Research Group, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

The objective of this work was to extract sugar bagasse cellulose nanofibres by using three different processes, namely: mechanical fibrillation, bleaching and mild acid hydrolysis. Cellulose nano-fibres with diameters in the nano range and estimated lengths of several micrometers were obtained from SB. Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis confirmed the removal of hemicellulose and lignin components by alkali/bleaching and acid hydrolysis. XRD results showed an increase in crystalline which resulted from the removal of lignin and hemicellulose, especially after mercerization and mild acid hydrolysis. Moreover, the extracted cellulose nanofibres were used to reinforce poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). PEO was dissolved in water and mixing with the cellulose nanofibres suspension followed by casting. The nanocomposites were characterized by using FTIR analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, X-Ray diffractometry and tensile tester. The thermal stability of the nanocomposites was enhanced depending on the treatment of the SB fibres.

Biomaterials, Biopolymers & Renewable Polymers, Cellulose and Other Wood Products, Biocompatibility

Motaung, T. and Mokhena, T. (2015) Effects of Mechanical Fibrillation on Cellulose Reinforced Poly(Ethylene Oxide). Materials Sciences and Applications, 6, 713-723. doi: 10.4236/msa.2015.68073.