Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2026

Towards Biomimicking Wood: Fabricated Free-standing Films of Nanocellulose, Lignin, and a Synthetic Polycation
Published on: June 17, 2014
Characterization and application of cellulose acetate synthesized from sugarcane bagasse
R G Candido1, G G Godoy1, Adilson R Gonçalves2
1Departamento de Biotecnologia, Escola de Engenharia de Lorena, Universidade de São Paulo, CEP 12.602-810, Lorena, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
The synthesis and application of cellulose acetate (CA) from sugarcane bagasse were investigated. Firstly, cellulose was extracted by a sequential treatment with H2SO4 (10% v/v), NaOH (5% w/v), EDTA (0.5% w/V), and H2O2 (5% v/v), and characterized by X-ray diffraction (DRX). After the acetylation of the extracted cellulose, CA was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), and was applied in the membrane production. The membranes were analyzed by DSC and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and tested in the flux of water vapor to determinate the best conditions for membrane manufacturing. FTIR analysis proved the replacement of free OH groups by acetyl groups, and the thermal analysis showed that sugarcane bagasse CA possessed thermal properties compared to commercial grade CA. The best conditions to prepare membrane were: 3% (w/v) of polymer/solvent relation, 10min of solvent evaporation time, and 20°C as temperature for the coagulation bath. These results show that CA can be successfully synthesized from sugarcane bagasse and applied in membrane preparation.
Related Concept Videos
Chemistry of Carbohydrates
Cellulose and Pectic Polysaccharides
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the parenchyma cells of...
Production of Alcohol
Production of Organic Acids
Bioplastics

