Extraction of cellulose whiskers from cassava bagasse and their applications as reinforcing agent in natural rubber

In this work cassava bagasse, a by-product of cassava starch industrialization was investigated as a new raw material to extract cellulose whiskers. This by-product is basically constituted of cellulose fibers (17.5 wt%) and residual starch (82 wt%). Therefore, this residue contains both natural fibers and a considerable quantity of starch and this composition suggests the possibility of using cassava bagasse to prepare both starch nanocrystals and cellulose whiskers. In this way, the preparation of cellulose whiskers was investigated employing conditions of sulfuric acid hydrolysis treatment found in the literature. The ensuing materials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction experiments. The results showed that high aspect ratio cellulose whiskers were successfully obtained. The reinforcing capability of cellulose whiskers extracted from cassava bagasse was investigated using natural rubber as matrix. High mechanical properties were observed from dynamic mechanical analysis.

Research highlights▶ Cellulose whiskers with high aspect ratio were extracted. ▶ A significant reinforcing effect is observed with addition of whiskers. ▶ The rubbery modulus increased upon cellulose whiskers addition.