Isolation Cellulose Nanofibers from Date-Palm Tree Leaflets (Phoenix dactylifera L.) by Ball-Milling Technique

Abdulrahman G. Alhamzani, Mohamed A. Habib, Laila A. Al-Mutabagani and Aamal. A. Al-Mutairi

Background and Objectives: Unlike chemical methods, the mechanical ball milling technique has been relied upon because of its environmentally friendly advantages and chemical saving. This study aims to use a simple approach to convert agricultural waste into value-added materials to be utilized in water purification and treatment uses. Materials and Methods: In this work, we extracted and characterized cellulose nanofibers from palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera L.), a cellulose-rich by-product and abundant in the local environment. First, cellulose fibres were extracted from leaflets of date-palm through alkaline treatment using sodium hydroxide. Then, the extracted cellulose was directed to bleaching and soaking. The soaked-bleached cellulosic material was ball milled, via Micro Mill PULVERISETTE 7, at different grinding rates (30, 60, 90 and 120 min, at 400 rpm) without chemicals. Results: The alkaline treatment helped to remove the defibrillation due to the weakening of the hydrogen bonds in the cellulose and provided an additional process, which increases the consumption of environmental resources. TGA thermogram curve shows that lignin and hemicelluloses were completely removed under the effect of the alkali treatment of the bio-mass and no thermal change at higher milling time. The results of the XRD showed that the higher the milling rate, the higher degree of crystallinity is. The morphology of the CNFs (SEM) demonstrates fibrous network nanostructures with a diameter of 20-30 nm at a higher milling rate. Conclusion: Ball milling was found as an effective process to transfer the extracted cellulose into nanofibers (CNFs). The alkaline treatment helped to remove the defibrillation due to the weakening of the hydrogen bonds in the cellulose and provided an additional process, which increases the consumption of environmental resources.

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