Physical and Spectroscopic Characterization of the Microcrystalline Cellulose Derivatives from Corn Cob and Daniella Oliveri Wastes

Cellulose was extracted from wood dust waste samples of Daniella oliveri and corn cobs by acetic acid and alkaline pretreatment methods, while microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) derivative was produced by acid hydrolysis in 2 M HCl. The samples were tested for pH, moisture content, swelling capacities and ash contents. The data obtained were compared with those of commercial MCCs found in the literature. The functional groups in the microcrystalline cellulose derivatives was confirmed by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic method with characteristic absorption bands of;–OH stretching at 3416 cm-1; C-H stretching at 2918 cm-1; -OH bending at 1377 cm-1; 1159 cm-1; and C-O-C pyranose ring skeletal vibrations at 1026-1033 cm-1. The crystallinity absorption bands appeared at 1436 and 850 cm-1. The characteristic morphological features were established by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the crystallinity of the microcrystalline cellulose was further confirmed using the X-ray powder diffraction (X-RD) technique, which showed three main reflections at 2θ=14.70°, 22.09°, and 34.24°.These results supported that microcrystalline cellulose derivative as cellulose I type and the acid pretreatment did not affect the structure of the MCC. The crystallinity indices were 69.3 and 73.2%, respectively. Daniella Oliveri and corn cob microcrystalline cellulose are, therefore, potential materials for further processing.