Synthesis and characterization of cellulose from Pachygone ovata leaf biomass as green reinforcement for...

Pachygone ovata leaves (POL) offer a sustainable option due to their availability as an underutilized agro-waste and their low land, water, and energy requirements. Pachygone ovata leaf cellulose (POLC) was extracted using various chemical extraction methods. The raw material, specifically POL, contained 55.42 % cellulose, whereas hemicellulose and lignin compositions were 12.89 % and 19.90 %, respectively, highlighting its potential for bio-based applications. Following the alkali treatment, the cellulose yield percentage was 56.12 %. The Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed the presence of primary hydroxyl, carbonyl, and phenolic chemical bonds. The X-ray diffraction analysis yielded a crystallinity index of 48.56 %, indicating that the material exhibited a semi-crystalline state. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed three stages of degradation for the POLC (1.529 g/cm³), with the peak decomposition temperature reaching 288.11 °C. On the basis of the SEM analysis, the POLC showed a fibrillar structure, with micrometric particles averaging 60.40 ± 21.102 μm in diameter. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy confirmed the optical properties of the substance by detecting a peak at 292.03 nm. The results revealed that the microcrystalline cellulose produced from the POL showed suitable physicochemical properties, making it ideal for pharmaceutical, biopolymer, and sustainable packaging applications.