Chemical and Physicochemical Characterization of Alkali Pretreated and in Natura Sisal Solid Waste

Abstract

Solid waste from sisal fiber is a great candidate for biorefinery feedstock and material for composite production. However, sisal solid waste needs to be pre-treated before being used for such application. One of pretreatment method is chemical pretreatment process using alkaline solution. Alkaline pretreatment can improve the digestibility and physicochemical properties of this lignocellulosic material. The aim of this study was to characterize the in natura and alkali pretreated sisal solid waste in order to evaluate their potential as biorefinery feedstock and material for composite production. The chemical characterization showed that the pretreatment resulted in an increase in cellulose content, which is in agreement with the results of infrared spectra. The DRX pattern and thermal characterization showed a crystallinity degree increase and thermal stability improving, respectively, indicating a partial removal of the amorphous fraction of the lignocellulosic material. The SEM analysis showed that the pretreatment increased the sisal solid waste superficial area, due to extractives removing. These results contributed to elucidate the potential uses of the lignocellulosic material from sisal and how the dilute alkaline pretreatment affected its composition and physicochemical properties.

Keywords

• sisal solid waste
• alkaline pretreatment
• physicochemical characterization
• biorefinery