Sustainable Production of Carboxymethyl Cellulose: A Biopolymer Alternative from Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Leaves

Abstract

This study explores the potential of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) leaves (SCLs), a significant agricultural waste, for the sustainable production of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) utilizing an innovative approach of carboxymethylation with monochloroacetic acid and varying sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations (ranging from 20 to 60 g/100 mL). The optimal carboxymethylation condition was identified as 40 g/100 mL NaOH, which yielded the highest degree of substitution (DS = 0.86). Furthermore, a higher ash content in the obtained CMC indicated significant carboxymethyl substitution within the structure. The chemical structure of cellulose and the resulting polymers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The FTIR spectrum exhibited characteristic peaks of carboxymethyl groups and their salts at wavenumbers of 1588–1591 cm−1 and 1413–1415 cm−1, respectively. The analyses from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) revealed detailed insights into the crystallinity and morphology of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The levels of heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, in the purified CMC were assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and were found to be within the recommended WHO/FAO limits, except for lead, which exceeded permissible levels. The prepared CMC demonstrated high purity at 99.34%, surpassing the 98.00% purity requirement for commercial-grade CMC. This product exhibits strong potential for diverse industrial applications, including paper coating, textile sizing and printing, ceramic glazing, and various uses in the oil industry.

The Development of a Fully Renewable Lubricant: The Effect of Ethyl Cellulose on the Properties of a Polyhydroxyalkanoate (P34HB)-Based Grease

“…Cellulose and its derivatives are sustainable biomaterials obtained from renewable resources that find applications as thickeners in various substances and fields, including food, tissue [2], cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paints, and coatings [3]. Of particular interest is the conversion of cellulose into valuable cellulose esters and ethers like ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, and hydroxyethyl cellulose, which has gained significant interest in the field of green and sustainable chemistry, resulting in advancements in environmental protection technologies [4]. Additionally, these materials demonstrate characteristics including increased strength and durability in composites, biodegradability [5], non-toxicity [6], and a relatively low cost [7].…”