Structural Evaluation on Sugarcane Bagasse Treated Using Sodium and Calcium Hydroxide

Greater interest in recent years to the increase demand in using
natural fiber reinforcement of polymers is to comply with the increasing
stringent international protocols related to climate change and
environmental awareness. Many studies have reported the development of
renewable and biodegradable agricultural by-products as reinforcement
fibers for biocomposites. One of the essential factors in producing strong
biocomposites is the properties prepared from the natural fibers which
results from the alkali treatment given. This research aims to evaluate the
effect of different treatment duration on structural changes on sugarcane
after alkali treatment using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and calcium
hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) solutions. Calcium hydroxide was used as
comparative solution in search for milder and more environmental
friendly alkali solution as an alternative solution of NaOH. Fourier
Transform Infrared (FTIR) confirmed the major removal of lignin and
minor of hemicellulose. It shows that the structure did not change
considerably with the additional treatment time. The weight loss
measurement after each treatment shows a higher weight loss with the
treatment with NaOH (40.5 % to 57.75 %) than the weight loss after
Ca(OH)2 treatment (25 % to 46 %). Scanning electron microscope (SEM)
observed the morphology changes on the fiber from both treatments.