Production of Nanocellulose Crystal Derived from Enset Fiber Using Acid Hydrolysis Coupled with Ultrasonication, Isolation, Statistical Modeling, Optimization, and Characterizations

Currently, many scholars are looking for renewable biomass sources for the isolation of nanomaterials that have a sustainable property and are ecofriendly. Thus, effectively synthesize and characterization enset fiber nanocellulose using acid hydrolysis with sonication is focus of study. Additionally, process optimization for isolation of nanocellulose (CNCs) from raw enset fiber using RSM-CCD and characterizations of obtained CNCs was explored. The quadratic model was selected, and optimized values for CNCs yield (77.69%) that were acquired to be H2SO4: 51.6 wt. %, reaction temperature: 47 degrees C, and time: 66.5 min. Chemical composition analysis, XRD, FTIR, PSA, SEM, and TGA were used for characterizing CNCs. The particle size distribution of CNCs is 66 nm. It has a crystalline index of 80.91% and excellent thermal stability. FTIR and chemical composition result indicated the reduction and removal of lignin and hemicellulose components that are usually available in the raw enset fibers. The SEM analysis reveals the structure and arrangement of the fiber bundles inside the raw material to nanocellulose. This property shows its endowing as a possibly consistent load-bearing material. This study could be given a noteworthy thought for designing and emerging CNC isolation, optimization, and industrial application.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of enset fiber nanocellulose using acid hydrolysis with sonication. The optimized parameters led to a high CNCs yield, and the characterization techniques confirmed the effective removal of lignin and hemicellulose from raw enset fibers. The obtained CNCs showed potential as a consistent load-bearing material and could have significant value for industrial applications.