Synthesis and Characterization of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Rice Husk

Rice husk was used as a raw material for synthesizing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) through mechanical and chemical pre-treatment process. Sodium hydroxide treatment (10%) followed by varying concentration of sodium chlorite (0.5%, 0.7%, 1%) treatment has resulted in substantial weight loss. The synthesized MCC was characterized through different instrumental analyses. ATR-IR spectroscopic analysis showed the successful removal of hemicellulose and lignin. Crystallinity index and crystal size were measured through powder XRD technique and was found to be 64.74% and 6.86 nm, respectively. SEM images indicated the average particle size, shape and porosity of MCC. Higher concentration of sodium chlorite treatment has led to minimum particle size, which is confirmed via DLS technique. The onset of thermal degradation of MCC from rice husk was around 340 °C.