Bagasse cellulose structure

A. Moubarik, N. Grimi, and N. Boussetta, Structural and thermal characterization of Moroccan sugar cane bagasse cellulose fibers and their apphcations as a reinforcing agent in low density polyethylene. Compos. B Eng. 52,233-238 (2013). 

Liu CF, Sun RC, Zhang AP, Ren JL, Geng ZC. Structural and thermal characterization of sugarcane bagasse cellulose succinates prepared in ionic liquid. Polym Degrad Stab 2006 91 3040-3047. 

The water uptake of alkali-mechanically treated unground bagasse followed the polymer load and decreased values accompanied increased polymer load (Table 5). However, at the same polymer load, higher values for water uptake accompanied beating till 10 minutes, compared with cutting for the same time (samples 27 and 28, respectively Table 5). This may relate to increased opening of the cellulose structure due to fibrillation which accompanies the beating process. 

Cellulose, the most abundant organic compound on earth, is the major structural component of the cell wall of higher plants [15], It is major component of cotton (95%), flax (80%), jute (60-70%) and wood (40-50%). Cellulose pulps can be obtained from maity agricultural byproducts such as sugarcane, sorghum bagasse, com stalks, and straws of rye, wheat, oats, and rice. 

Figure 1. Structure of Cellulose in Bagasse (a) Cellulose as Polyglucose, (b) Chemical Structure of Cellulose, (c) Cellulose Crystallite, and (d) Cellulose Crystallites in Microfibril.

However, it may be due to the coarser particles of bagasse ground to 20 mesh, the penetration of sodium hydroxide through the cellulosic material is difficult, leading to slight swelling, respectively, structural changes. A low hardness 120 (sample 21), is thus achieved. 

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