TITLE:
Optimization of Cellulose Nanocrystal Isolation from Ayous Sawdust Using Response Surface Methodology
AUTHORS:
Tchigo Alifa, Hamida Aminatou, Oumar Said, Jean-Bosco Tchatchueng
KEYWORDS:
Ayous Sawdust, Lignocellulosic Waste, Isolation, Cellulose Nanocrystals, Optimization, Response Surface Methodology
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering,
Vol.12 No.1,
January
23,
2024
ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the extraction of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), derived from Ayous sawdust. The process involves multiple steps and a large amount of chemical products. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of factors that impact the isolation process and to identify the optimal conditions for CNC isolation by using the response surface methodology. The factors that varied during the process were the quantity of MCC, the concentration of sulfuric acid, the hydrolysis time and temperature, and the ultrasonic treatment time. The response measured was the yield. The study found that with 5.80 g of microcrystalline cellulose, a sulfuric acid concentration of 63.50% (w/w), a hydrolysis time of 53 minutes, a hydrolysis temperature of 69˚C, and a sonication time of 19 minutes are the ideal conditions for isolation. The experimental yield achieved was (37.84 ± 0.99) %. The main factors influencing the process were the sulfuric acid concentration, hydrolysis time and temperature, with a significant influence (p