Isolation and Characterization of New Cellulosic Microfibers from Pandan Duri (<i>Pandanus Tectorius</i>) for Sustainable Environment

Cellulose is the main component of natural fibers whose content varies greatly depending on the type of plant and its treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the effect of chemical treatment on natural fiber properties. This study successfully extracted the content from Pandan duri (Pandanus tectorius) fiber through alkalization, bleaching, and acid hydrolysis. The effect of these chemical treatments on the characteristics of fiber surface, shape, chemical composition, crystallinity, and thermal properties was examined and analyzed. Subsequently, the cellulose components in the structure and the removal of lignin groups were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy spectrum analysis. The surface morphology analysis was done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that showed the raw fiber surface was still in the structure of bundles. However, it was decomposed into cellulose fibrils after chemical treatment with a diameter of about 2 µm – 20 µm. The chemical composition for cellulose content increased by 90.5%, while hemicellulose decreased by 89.6% after acid hydrolysis treatment. Also, X-ray (XRD) analysis showed crystallinity increased from 39.5% for raw fibers to 67.7% after the hydrolysis. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed higher degradation temperature of micro cellulose offered better thermal stability compared to raw fibers. In conclusion, the cellulose from Pandanus tectorius fiber can be used to reinforce biocomposites as an alternative to synthetic fibers for sustainability of environment.