Synthesis and characterization of biomass-based microcrystalline cellulose extracted from Cyperus rotundus plant leaves

Abstract

Nowadays, the utilisation of eco-friendly plant-based waste material is the main motivations in research field. The modifications of natural resources made them applicable for many future applications. The chemical treatments with low harming chemicals yield value-added product which could be more appropriate for more applications. Our research incorporated the Cyperus rotundus plant, which was grown as a weed in a paddy field. A variety of chemical processes, including neutralisation, alkalization, slow pyrolysis, acid hydrolysis, and bleaching, could be utilised to efficiently recover cellulose from the wasted trash which was mentioned in the methodology section. Utilising thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and Fourier transform spectroscopy, more information regarding the isolated cellulose was gathered. The cellulose powder that was isolated had a crystalline size of 14.63 nm and a high crystallinity index of 65.34%. An examination with a scanning electron microscope reveals the round and smooth surface. At 328.47 °C, the differential thermogram curve indicates the greatest temperature of deterioration. Using ImageJ, the micro-sized particles, which are predominantly 100–120 μm in diameter, are identified. The surface roughness and permissible skewness of cellulose particles were assessed by means of atomic force microscopy. 1.338 g/cm³ is the density of extracted cellulose. The yield percentage was exceptionally high (61.84%). Therefore, by improving the characteristics of cellulose, it may prove to be more suitable for forthcoming applications.