Characterization of sugarcane and coconut fibers by thermal analysis and FTIR

Pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse and coconut fiber was studied by thermal analysis in order to characterize their thermal behavior and to identify their constituents by the aid of their thermogravimetric curves and to determine their heat capacity by means of DSC. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum (FTIR) was used to determine the main constituents present in both residues. The thermal degradation of sugarcane bagasse and coconut fiber presents two mass loss steps attributed to the release of humidity and to the decomposition of organic material (hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin). It was expected that the results of DSC analysis were almost the same for both types of biomasses.