Isolation and surface modification of cellulose from underutilized Luffa cylindrica sponge: A potential feed stock for local polymer industry in Africa

Cellulose was isolated from Luffa cylindrica sponge (LC) and modified by introducing acetyl ether functionality to its surface via simple reaction mechanism. L. cylindrica cellulose (LCC) and the acetyl ether modified L. cylindrica cellulose (LCS) were characterized using Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size distribution, zeta potential, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis (BET). They were further evaluated for water holding capacity, oil holding capacity, swelling capacity and heavy metal adsorption capacity. LC gave a cellulose yield of 46%. The XRD result revealed LCC and LCS to be typical of cellulose I crystal with LCS exhibiting higher crystallinity than LCC. Hydrophilicity was reduced in LCS with LCC showing higher water holding capacity, oil holding capacity, swelling capacity and heavy metal adsorption capacity. This study showed that surface modification of cellulose with acetyl ether group has the capacity of reducing hydrophilicity in cellulose.