Synthesis and Characterization of Isolated Cellulose from Cotton Stalk used as Filler in Rubber Composite

Abstract

Composites combined two different components: the matrix phase (polymer) and the reinforcing phase (filler). In the rubber composites industry, plant fibres from agricultural crops have appeared as alternative fillers. Agricultural crops such as cotton stalks are renewable and cheap materials that provide engineering products with comparable properties after the combination with rubber. The study aim to prepare the biocomposites of cellulose and NBR through the melt blending process and study their microstructure properties. For this purpose, cellulose was extracted from waste cotton stalks using alkaline hydrogen peroxide treatment. After extraction of cellulose, it was melt blended with NBR under specific temperature (80 °C), revolution (60 rpm), and time (12 minutes) conditions. Cellulose fiber and raw cotton stalk powder were loaded from 0 to 10 wt % to make composites,which were examined.The effect of carbon black composite with NBR was also studied. Chemical analysis (FTIR, and XRD) of cellulose was done for the identification of filler. For microstructure analysis of cellulose, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) technique is used.characteristization of the composites were performed by MDR-3000 to study their vulcanization behaviour. FTIR results showed successful removal of lignin and hemicellulose at 1733 cm-1 and 1237 cm-1 . XRD analysis showed the increment in peak intensity at 22.5° referred to the removing the non-crystalline region (lignin and hemicellulose).SEM micrographs showed the removal of the cementing hemicellulose, wax and lignin.The channeling at the upper surface of the cellulose fiber is attributed to the removal of inorganic particales i.e. silica and metal components.The characteristic behaviour with different formualtions was analyzed. The values of maximum torque (Tmax), minimum torque (Tmin), torque at 90 % curing (T90) and the optimum time for cure(t90) was studied .