Synthesis of kenaf cellulose carbamate using microwave irradiation for preparation of cellulose membrane

• Cellulose carbamate was produced from microwave irradiation in polar medium.
• The increase in urea content and reaction time in the formation of cellulose carbamate will enhance the nitrogen content in cellulose carbamate.
• Regenerated cellulose membrane was formed from kenaf core cellulose and cellulose carbamate.

Cellulose carbamate (CCs) was produced from kenaf core pulp (KCP) using microwave reactor-assisted method. The effects of urea concentration and reaction time on the formation of nitrogen content in CCs were investigated. The CCs’ solubility in LiOH/urea system was determined and its membranes were characterized. As the urea content and reaction time increased, the nitrogen content form in CCs increased which enhanced the CCs’ solubility. The formation of CCs was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nitrogen content analysis. The CCs’ morphology was examined using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cellulose II and crystallinity index of the membranes were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The pore size of the membrane displayed upward trend with respect to the urea content observed under Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). This investigation provides a simple and efficient procedure of CCs determination which is useful in producing environmental friendly regenerated CCs.