| Abstrakt: |
Nano fibrillated Cellulose (NFC) refers to nanoparticles derived from cellulose, serving as a reinforcing agent in bioplastics to enhance their mechanical properties. This research aims to develop cellulose-based macroinitiators from NFC for use as an eco-friendly bioplastic raw material. The NFC isolation process involved extracting α-cellulose from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB), encompassing steps such as delignification, swelling, bleaching, and hydrolysis. The cellulose isolation yield achieved was 29.33%. The synthesis of macroinitiators was undertaken to substitute the hydroxyl group (-OH) in cellulose with an alkyl halide, specifically Ethyl-α-bromoisobutyrate (EBiB). The FTIR spectra of α-cellulose and NFC exhibited primary absorption regions at wavelengths of 3411.01 cm−1 and 3317.3 cm−1; 1064.71 cm−1 and 1021.3 cm−1; and 1157.28 cm−1 and 1155.4 cm−1, indicating the presence of OH, CH, and COC bonds, respectively. The cellulose-BiB macroinitiator displayed absorption peaks at 3379.89 cm−1, 1749.24 cm−1, and 500-600 cm−1, signifying OH, C=O, and C-Br bonds, respectively. SEM analysis results indicated the separation of fibers due to the removal of hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin. TEM analysis revealed that the produced NFC had an average diameter of 9 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
