Synthesis of Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose Based on Pretreated Corn Stover and Its Characterization

Abstract

In this work, pretreatment method for improving the cellulose content of corn stover and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) prepared from the pretreated cellulose material were studied. The main pretreated conditions affecting cellulose content such as NaOH concentration, the ratio of material to solvent, reaction temperature were optimized. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and scan electron microscope (SEM) were used to determine the samples’ characterization. The results showed that the optimized pretreated conditions for corn stover cellulose extraction were soaked in 10% NaOH at 1:6 (w/v) ratio of material to solvent for 2 h at 95oC. The content of -cellulose reached to 86.7%. After that, the CMC synthesis were controlled as alkalified at 30oC for 2 h and etherified at 55 oC for 110min, kept at 70 oC for 10min. Under these conditions, viscosity of 2% CMC aqueous solution was 90.1 mPa·s. FTIR indicated the presence of carboxymethyl substituent. SEM showed the apparent changes after pretreatment and etherification reaction. It proved CMC could be synthesised successfully from corn stover.