Analysis on extracted jute cellulose nanofibers by Fourier transform infrared and X-Ray diffraction

The increasing demand in utilization of environmentally friendly materials in industry has attracted wide attention in the potential use of natural plants to replace the synthetic fiber as reinforcement in composites. The most abundant source of cellulosic bast fiber in world production after cotton is jute fiber. In this study, cellulose nanofiber was extracted from jute fiber via combination of chemical and mechanical treatment method. The effects of the extraction method on crystallinity and chemical analysis of the extracted jute cellulose nanofibers via X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analysis and its potential used as reinforcement material was studied and compared with those of raw jute fiber. The Fourier transform infrared spectrum confirmed that the unwanted non-cellulosic substances such as hemicellulose, lignin and waxes were successfully removed from raw jute fiber. In addition, the X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed that the crystallinity of the extracted jute cellulose nanofiber was increased.