Preliminary evaluation of boric acid-treated cellulose derived oil palm empty fruit bunches

Jimat, Dzun Noraini and Zainal Abidin, Nur Aleeya Maisara and Sulaiman, Sarina (2026) Preliminary evaluation of boric acid-treated cellulose derived oil palm empty fruit bunches. Journal of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Biotechnology, 12 (2). pp. 21-28. E-ISSN 0126-8139

PDF - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (2MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of boric acid (BA) treatment on the physicochemical properties of cellulose derived from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB), with the goal of enhancing thermal stability. The work follows a systematic one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) approach to screen the effects of BA concentration, reaction time, and treatment temperature on the physico-chemical properties of the cellulose derived OPEFB. Characterization techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed. FTIR confirmed the reduction in free hydroxyl groups and the successful formation of borate ester, particularly at a 3% (w/v) BA concentration. Preserved crystallinity was observed under moderate treatment conditions, as shown by the XRD analysis. In addition, improved thermal stability was achieved, as demonstrated by the TGA analysis, particularly at 3% (w/v) boric acid (BA), 2 h, and 25°C. This study shows that under these conditions, moderate thermal stabilization can be achieved through chemical crosslinking without significant structural degradation. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that sustainable cellulose-based materials with enhanced performance can be developed using a boric acid modification approach

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Cellulose, Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB), Boric acid (BA), Thermal stability, Crystallinity
Subjects:	T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP155 Chemical engineering T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP200 Manufacture and use of chemicals
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Biotechnology Engineering
Depositing User:	Dr Dzun Noraini Jimat
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2026 15:54
Last Update:	21 Oct 2026 16:22
Queue Number:	2026-10-Q5780
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/132179
Indexed In:	Google Scholar, MyCite

Actions (login required)

View Item