Synthesis and Physicochemical Analysis of Cellulose Xanthate Derived from Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth Pods
Okechukwu Paul Nsude
Department of Industrial Chemistry, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Jude Chukwudi Okenwa
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Institute of Management and Technology Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Eze Harrison Felix
Department of Industrial Chemistry, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Emachi Ephraim Eze
Department of Industrial Chemistry, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Kingsley John Orie
*
Department of Chemistry, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The indiscriminate disposal of Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth pods contributes to biomass waste, creating an opportunity for their conversion into value-added cellulose derivatives. This study prepared cellulose xanthate from cellulose isolated from Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth pods and evaluated its physicochemical characteristics using standard procedures. Cellulose was isolated through sequential treatment, converted to cellulose xanthate under alkaline conditions, and examined by proximate analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The moisture contents of cellulose and cellulose xanthate were 7.871% and 8.144%, respectively, while ash contents were 1.1805% and 1.083%. Volatile matter values were 0.154% and 0.700%, and fixed carbon contents were 55.17% and 55.073%, respectively. The corresponding pH values were 6.66 and 0.97, whereas iodine values were 204.944 and 152.916. FTIR analysis showed characteristic bands associated with cellulose and cellulose xanthate, including O-H, C-H, C=O, and C=S-related features. EDX analysis showed differences in elemental composition, including oxygen, silicon, calcium, sodium, iron, carbon, nickel, and copper. These changes indicate that the chemical treatments used during xanthation altered the physicochemical and elemental profiles of the cellulose-derived material. The findings support the potential utilisation of cellulose xanthate derived from oil bean pod biomass in polymers, binders, adsorbents, and composite materials. Overall, the study demonstrates biomass valorisation through cellulose derivatisation.
Keywords: Cellulose, cellulose xanthate, Pentaclethra macrophylla, oil bean pod, biomass valorisation, physicochemical analysis, FTIR, EDX, proximate analysis, xanthation