Surface Characterization of Powdered Cellulose Activated by Potassium Hydroxide in Dry Condition Through Ball Milling

Abstract

The surface chemical compositions of powdered cellulose have been characterized utilizing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) techniques. Powdered cellulose was prepared by milling of bleached softwood pulp residues through a lab-scale planetary ball mill. Here we show how milling a mixture of the powdered cellulose with potassium hydroxide determines the surface chemical compositions of the obtained powdered cellulose, in a completely dry condition. The XPS analysis indicated the presence of new carbon and oxygen atoms as C4, C5, and O3. In turn, the FTIR analysis showed the stretching vibrations of the carbon–carbon double bond. The results suggest the formation of active oxygenated species on powdered cellulose surfaces.