Modification and Characterization of Ceiba Pentandra (L.) Gaertn. (Kapok) Fiber: Physical Properties

Abstract

Kapok fiber is a natural material that has unique properties, can be renewed with a large lumen, it has hydrophobic properties, as an absorbent in oil, heavy metals, and sound. To increase the absorption capacity of heavy metals, physical properties, and chemical resistance, modifications were made to change the fiber properties from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. One way is through the process of soaking the kapok fibers in a solvent to remove non-cellulose compounds. In this study, to improve the properties of kapok fiber, soaking has been done with various solutions, there are HCl, NaOH, NaClO, NaClO-NaOH-NaClO, and NaClO2-NaOH-NaClO2 solution. Immersion of kapok fibers in NaClO2-NaOH-NaClO2 solution can increase cellulose content up to 93.69% with porosity content of 4.75%. NaClO2-NaOH-NaClO2-treated can absorb water up to 211.27%, the second highest after treatment with the NaClO-NaOH-NaClO-treated solution of 285.29%. Immersion in NaClO-NaOH-NaClO and NaClO2-NaOH-NaClO2 solvents also causes damage to the kapok fiber protective layer which indicates the loss of lignin, so that a significant change of the hydrophobic fiber becomes hydrophilic as seen in the SEM results.

Modification Strategies of Kapok Fiber Composites and Its Application in the Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions and Dyes from Aqueous Solutions: A Systematic Review

“…Raw KF displayed a tube-like shape (Figure 10a) while no damage of the tube structure and surface of KF [104] was observed after pre-treatment (Figure 10b). Wolok et al [108] performed an oxidation pre-treatment on KF using sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and NaClO2 that removes wax, natural oil, pectin, lignin, and hemicellulose. The increased hydrophilic properties of treated KF can be utilized for polymer application.…”

“…As a result, the aqueous solution and the treated KF surface are able to make total contact. In an acidic solution, methyl blue is a cationic dye with a strong Wolok et al [108] performed an oxidation pre-treatment on KF using sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and NaClO 2 that removes wax, natural oil, pectin, lignin, and hemicellulose. The increased hydrophilic properties of treated KF can be utilized for polymer application.…”

“…Wolok et al [ 108 ] performed an oxidation pre-treatment on KF using sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and NaClO 2 that removes wax, natural oil, pectin, lignin, and hemicellulose. The increased hydrophilic properties of treated KF can be utilized for polymer application.…”

“…The increased hydrophilic properties of treated KF can be utilized for polymer application. FTIR results of untreated KF showed the presence of cellulose and surface wax at peaks 3342 cm −1 and 2916 cm −1 , respectively [ 108 , 109 ]. A mixture of NaClO 2 and NaOH pre-treatment decreases the peak intensity at 2916 cm −1 due to the oxidation of NaClO 2 solution [ 75 , 108 , 110 ].…”

“…FTIR results of untreated KF showed the presence of cellulose and surface wax at peaks 3342 cm −1 and 2916 cm −1 , respectively [ 108 , 109 ]. A mixture of NaClO 2 and NaOH pre-treatment decreases the peak intensity at 2916 cm −1 due to the oxidation of NaClO 2 solution [ 75 , 108 , 110 ]. Another decrease in the intensity at peak 1732 cm −1 was observed, which implies the breakdown of lignin and hemicellulose [ 108 , 111 ].…”