Isolation, preparation, and characterization of nanofibers from oil palm empty-fruit-bunch (OPEFB)

Cellulose nanofibers were produced by hydrolyzing oil palm empty-fruit-bunches with sulfuric acid. The effect of hydrolysis time on the structure and properties of the nanofibers was investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to evaluate the change of chemical composition. Atomic force microscope images showed that the average thickness of the nanofibers ranged from 1 to 3.5 nm as the hydrolysis time was varied. Longer hydrolysis time produced a higher yield of dispersed nanofibers; whereas the degree of crystallinity and the degree of polymerization decreased with increasing hydrolysis time. The degradation of nanofibers with higher sulfate group content started at a lower temperature.