Thermal gravimetric analysis, and differential thermal behavior of holo‐ and hemicelluloses obtained from rice straw and bagasse were investigated. Degradation was found to be of first order reaction. The activation energy values and the rate constants were calculated from the kinetic of weight loss. Hemicellulose was found to be less stable than holocellulose, and the stability of the samples was arranged in the order, rice straw holo‐ > bagasse holo‐ > rice straw hemi‐ > bagasse hemicellulose. Degradation of rice straw (holo‐ as well as hemicellulose) was performed via two exothermic processes, whereas bagasse hemicellulose combustion was completed through three exothermic processes. The magnitude and the shape of the exotherms depend, mainly, on the chemical composition of the sample.

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To develop a new technique for the effective utilization of bagasse, cyanoethylation was attempted to see if bagasse could be converted into a thermoplastic material. The effects of various reaction parameters (temperature, time, alkali concentration, and acrylonitrile‐to‐bagasse ratio) on the extent of the cyanoethylation reaction were studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was done to demonstrate the occurrence of cyanoethylation; thermogravimetric analysis, to study the thermal stability of the produced cyanoethylated bagasse; X‐ray diffraction, to follow the change in the supramolecular structure; and scanning electron microscopy of hot‐pressed cyanoethylated bagasse to show the occurrence of thermoplasticization. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 1965–1978, 2001

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