PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF CELLULOSE FROM THE PLANT Brousonetia papyrifera

ABSTRACT

Today, the demand for natural polymers is increasing. Currently, cellulose is obtained from various trees and by various methods. In this study, the chemical composition, crystallinity, moisture and foaming ability, heat resistance and other physicochemical properties of cellulose extracted from the Brousonetia papyrifera plant are analyzed. Several analytical methods, including spectroscopy, microscopy and other physical analysis methods, are used to assess the quality of cellulose. The results indicate that cellulose obtained from the Brousonetia papyrifera plant is suitable for use as a high-quality material, which ensures its use as a promising raw material in various industrial sectors, in particular, in the production of environmentally friendly materials. The main objective of the study is to study the physicochemical properties of Brousonetia papyrifera cellulose and identify possible opportunities for its wider application in industry.

АННОТАЦИЯ

Сегодня спрос на природные полимеры увеличивается. В настоящее время целлюлозу получают из различных деревьев и различными способами. В данном исследовании анализируются химический состав, кристалличность, влаго- и пенообразующая способность, термостойкость и другие физико-химические свойства целлюлозы, выделенной из растения Brousonetia papyrifera. Для оценки качества целлюлозы используется ряд аналитических методов, включая спектроскопию, микроскопию и другие методы физического анализа.

Полученные результаты свидетельствуют о том, что целлюлоза, полученная из растения Brousonetia papyrifera, пригодна для использования в качестве высококачественного материала, что обеспечивает ее использование в качестве перспективного сырья в различных отраслях промышленности, в частности, в производстве экологически чистых материалов. Основной целью исследования является изучение физико-химических свойств целлюлозы Brousonetia papyrifera и выявление возможных возможностей для ее более широкого применения в промышленности.

Keywords: Broussonetia papyrifera, cellulose, sanitary and hygienic paper production, environmentally friendly material, hygienic properties, cellulose concentration, environmental impact.

Ключевые слова: Broussonetia papyrifera, целлюлоза, производство санитарно-гигиенической бумаги, экологически чистый материал, гигиенические свойства, концентрация целлюлозы, воздействие на окружающую среду.

Introduction. Broussonetia papyrifera (also known as papyrus tree) is a tropical and subtropical plant whose unique properties make it a promising source of cellulose. It is native to Southeast Asia, China, and Japan, but is also found in other tropical regions. The properties of Broussonetia papyrifera plants can be very valuable tools, especially in the cellulose extraction process. Broussonetia papyrifera has a high concentration of cellulose, making it a suitable plant for use in papermaking. The stems, leaves, and fibers of this plant contain a large amount of cellulose. As a high-quality cellulose, the cellulose content of Broussonetia papyrifera can be of higher quality than other plants used in the paper industry. In addition, the technological characteristics of the cellulose extraction process and processing make it easier to process than many other plants [1].

Broussonetia papyrifera has high potential for the production of sanitary and hygienic paper. The following main aspects are taken into account when extracting cellulose from this plant. The fibers of Broussonetia papyrifera are rich in high-quality cellulose, which can be used to produce sanitary and hygienic paper (e.g. napkins, paper napkins, toilet paper). This type of paper must have high nutritional and protective properties, since they are in direct contact with the skin. Broussonetia papyrifera is one of the most environmentally friendly plants, and its processing offers the potential for efficient use of natural resources and energy. In addition, this tree grows quickly and causes minimal damage to the ecosystem, which increases its effectiveness as a sustainable source of raw materials. Sanitary and hygienic papers are widely used, especially in the food industry and medicine (for example, for patients, for cleaning food). Papers obtained from Broussonetia papyrifera meet high hygienic standards, as its cellulose composition contains fewer toxic substances. These papers help prevent allergic reactions. Since they require fewer chemicals and energy consumption, they are used in the production of higher quality papers. Therefore, more environmentally friendly results can be achieved in the production process of sanitary and hygienic paper. The Broussonetia papyrifera plant is also highly efficient in recycling. By recycling paper obtained from this plant, it is possible to reduce waste and use resources efficiently. This, in turn, reduces the harmful impact of the production process on the environment [2-4].

Cellulose synthesized from the Broussonetia papyrefera plant is not pure, it contains other substances. For example, it was experimentally determined that a
1-year-old tree contains 35% cellulose, 3.4% pentosan, 5.2% protein, 4.4% fat, waxy substances, 45% various water-insoluble minerals, and about 6.8% ash-forming substances. Therefore, it is impossible to study the properties of cellulose without purifying it from these substances. Because ash-forming substances can give incorrect experimental results [5].

Extracting cellulose from perennial plants serves to meet today's human need for paper and paper products and to produce high-quality products.

Research methodology. In order to study the effect of technological factors on the quality of the product during cellulose extraction, several cellulose samples were taken. Since the Broussonetia papyrefera plant contains 15-20% lignin and pentosan substances, the boiling process was carried out at a temperature of 120-160°C for
120-240 minutes with a NaOH concentration of 4-10% relative to dry fiber. Based on this experiment, cellulose samples were taken from the Broussonetia papyrefera plant and its quality indicators were determined [6-8]. The quality indicators of the obtained cellulose samples are shown in Table 1.

Table 1.

Quality indicators of cellulose obtained from the plant Broussonetia papyrifera

As can be seen from the quality indicators of the samples presented in the table, as the temperature, time duration, and alkali concentration increased, the degree of polymerization and moisture content decreased, the amount of α-cellulose increased due to the dissolution of iodine substances under the influence of the alkali solution, and the ash content decreased insignificantly.

From the results obtained, Broussonetia papyrefera cellulose, obtained by boiling a 40 g/l alkali solution at 120°C for 120 minutes, was selected as the optimal one.

Bleaching of cellulose obtained from Broussonetia papyrifera. Bleaching is a multi-step process of cleaning and brightening raw cellulose, the purpose of which is to dissolve (chemical method) or change (mechanical method) the brown color of lignin that was not removed during cooking, while maintaining the integrity of the cellulose fibers. Currently, several bleaching methods are used in industry. The bleaching of cellulose obtained from Broussonetia papyrefera using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) has been studied and carried out [9].

Bleaching of cellulose from Broussonetia papyrifera with hydrogen peroxide. Bleaching with hydrogen peroxide is environmentally safe and economically effective and significant. In order to bleach the resulting cellulose, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide was studied under various conditions at concentrations ranging from 4 to 8% relative to the absolute dry mass of the bleached cellulose. The results and indicators obtained are presented in Table 2.

Table 2.

Bleaching the resulting cellulose in H₂O₂ and determining its quality parameters

Having examined all the indicators in Table 1.2, the bleaching process with a concentration of 6% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at a temperature of 100°C for
60 minutes was found to be optimal.

Bleaching of cellulose from Broussonetia papyrefera with sodium hypochloride. Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) is used as a bleaching agent in the pulp and paper industry. It is considered an economical and effective bleaching agent. During the bleaching process, as we increased the concentration of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) from 4 to 8 g/l, its whiteness level changed from 65% to 75% [10-11]. The bleaching process was studied and the results were obtained. These results and indicators are presented in Table 3.

Table 3.

Bleaching of Broussonetia papyrifera cellulose in NaClO and determination of quality parameters

Based on the results obtained, taking into account the effectiveness of economic and quality indicators, the optimal condition for the bleaching process was selected as 6 g/l sodium hypochloride (NaClO) concentration at a temperature of 40°C for
60 minutes.

Research results and their discussion. As a result of the research, cellulose was isolated from Broussonetia papyrefera using the soda method, since the obtained cellulose was intended for the production of sanitary paper, its bleaching method and the chemical reagents used for bleaching were also separately discussed. The validity of the results was verified using modern physicochemical analysis methods. The analysis is presented below [12].

IR spectrum and Thermogravimetric analysis of Broussonetia papyrifera cellulose. In the IR spectrum of Broussonetia papyrefera cellulose, valence vibrations of hydroxyl groups are observed in the region of 3400 cm^–1, corresponding in value to intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds.

Figure 1. IR spectrum of Broussonetia papyrefera cellulose

The valence vibrations of the C-H bonds in the methylene groups of cellulose are observed in the region of 2895 cm^–1, and the vibrations of adsorbed water molecules are observed in the region of 1635 cm^–1 [13-14] The absorption lines in the regions of
1420 cm^–1, 1351-1375 cm^–1, 1202 cm^–1, 1075-1060 cm^–1 correspond to the deformation vibrations of the -CH, -CH₂, -OH, -CO groups and the valence vibrations of the C-O group.

Figure 2. Thermogram of Broussonetia papyrefera cellulose

Table 4.

Thermogravimetric analysis of Broussonetia papyrifera cellulose

Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the cellulose sample decomposes in two stages. The first stage is mass loss between 100-249°C, when the moisture in the sample is initially released as water vapor. Then, as a result of organic chain scission and cellulose chain cleavage, new volatiles are formed, causing mass loss [15]. The second stage is complete decomposition, which occurs between 450-650°C, when the cellulose residue is completely decomposed, leaving only a partial carbon ash.

Conclusion. The results and indicators of cellulose obtained from the Broussonetia papyrifera tree indicate that this tree cellulose may be a promising raw material for the papermaking industry in the future. As can be seen from the results, the percentage of cellulose is very high and the processing process for this cellulose is not complicated. The process of obtaining this cellulose and its bleaching processes were successfully carried out. Its quality indicators were analyzed by IR spectrum and thermogravimetric methods. The analysis showed that cellulose has minimal toxicity and low chemical damage. Therefore, it can also be used as a promising raw material in the production of sanitary and hygienic paper. For these purposes, the reproduction of this type of raw material and the production of products from it are considered a promising future project.

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