Evaluation to possibility of cellulose fibers isolated from kapok randu (Ceiba Pentandra) as a precursor growth of carbon micro structures with the assist of metal catalysts

Abstract

Objective: As a hydrocarbon material, cellulose could be used as precursor in synthesizing carbon micro-structure (CMTs), and this study aims to investigate the potential use of cellulosic material from kapok randu as a precursor in synthesizing carbon-based structures. Methods: The isolation of cellulose was carried out via alkaline treatment, followed by mechanical disintegration. Meanwhile, the growth of CMTs was performed via heating treatment for 12 h with various catalysts (i.e., Fe, Ni, and Cu). Chemical characteristics were confirmed by FTIR, XRD spectra, while TEM, SEM and Raman spectra were performed to determine the growth of CMTs. Results: The thermal characteristic suggested that the decomposition was initiated at 300 °C. The FTIR results confirmed the presence of functional groups in accordance to cellulose fiber, such as –OH (3418 cm−1), CH aliphatic group (2900 cm−1), OH (1635 cm−1), and CH (1334 cm−1). Whilst, the FTIR pattern also confirmed the presence of CC stretching at 1600 cm−1, –CH in between 2800 and 3000 cm−1, indicating the activated carbon. Raman shift indicated the growth on G-band in the interval of 1500–1700 cm−1, suggesting the presence of CC structures. Based on the morphological characteristics, the growth of CMTs were successfully obtained with different diameters and lengths due to the different catalysts used. The iron (Fe) catalysts produced CMTs with a diameter about 200 nm and average length of 2–3 µm, whereas the Ni catalysts formed tubes with around 150 nm of length and 50 nm of diameter. Meanwhile, the Cu catalysts formed amorphous particles with diameter below 10 nm. Conclusion: From these results, the evaluation of cellulose isolated from kapok randu as a precursor in the growth of carbon micro-tube with distinguished characteristics was demonstrated.

Keywords

• Nanofibers cellulose
• Activated carbon
• Kapok randu
• Precursor
• Carbon based-structures