Structural evaluation on sugarcane bagasse treated using sodium and calcium hydroxide

Greater interest in recent years to the increase demand in using natural fiber reinforcement of polymers is to comply with the increasing stringent international protocols related to climate change and environmental awareness. Many studies have reported the development of renewable and biodegradable agricultural by-products as reinforcement fibers for biocomposites. One of the essential factors in producing strong biocomposites is the properties prepared from the natural fibers which results from the alkalitreatment given. This research aims to evaluate the effect of different treatment duration on structural changes on sugarcane after alkali treatment using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) solutions. Calcium hydroxide was used as comparative solution in search for milder and more environmental friendly alkali solution as an alternative solution of NaOH. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) confirmed the major removal of lignin and minor of hemicellulose. It shows that the structure did not change considerably with the additional treatment time. The weight loss measurement after each treatmentshows a higher weight loss with the treatment with NaOH (40.5 % to 57.75 %) than the weight loss after Ca(OH)₂ treatment (25 % to 46 %). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observed the morphology changes onthe fiber from both treatments.