Optimasi Suhu Hidrolisis dan Konsentrasi Asam Sulfat dalam Pembuatan Nanoselulosa Berbahan Dasar Serat Batang Pisang Kepok (Musa acuminata x balbisiana)

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the optimal hydrolysis temperature and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) concentration in isolating nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) from kepok banana pseudostem fiber with the best yield and water solubility. In this research, cellulose fiber was delignified with NaOH at 80°C for 5 minutes, then followed by bleaching with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) for 30 minutes twice. NCC was isolated through acid hydrolysis with H₂SO₄ (40%, 45%, 50%, 55% v/v) at 45 °C, 50 °C, 55 °C, 60 °C for 1 hour and ultrasonicated for 5 minutes. NCC crystal was then characterized through Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and water solubility. TEM analysis showed the isolated NCC has a measured length of 125 – 144 nm. The highest NCC yield was obtained at 60°C and 55% H₂SO₄ at 26.75%. This analysis showed that NCC yield increases with increasing H₂SO₄ concentration and hydrolysis temperature. The lowest water solubility obtained is 0%, which shows the purity of the cellulose used to isolate NCC.