Isolation of Cellulose from Different Sources

Abstract

This study is about isolating Cellulose from different sources and converting the isolated cellulose to it`s derivatives and analyze it. Cellulose was isolated from residue of tea fibers, palm leaf and newspaper by using sodium hydroxide solution (1M). And the isolation percentage was (9%, 16.16% and 33% respectively). Then the isolated cellulose was identified qualitatively by simple chemical test that used to identify carbohydrates as Tollen`s test and Fehling`s test, results was positive for the two tests. The isolated cellulose was converted to cellulose derivatives (Cellulose acetate – Cellulose nitrate). The isolated cellulose and it`s derivatives were analyzed by using infra-red spectroscopy the spectrum of the extracted cellulose from the three sources showed the same results: the presence of (O-H), (C-O) , (CH Aliphatic ) and (C-C ) . The spectrum of Cellulose acetate show the presence of (O-H), (C-O), (C-H Aliphatic) and (C-C). The spectrum of Cellulose nitrate show the presence of (O-H), (C-O), (CH Aliphatic) in two different area, and (R-O-NO2) The importance of the research is in isolating Cellulose from sources that considered useless and convert the isolated cellulose to it`s derivatives and synthesis of bio-plastics which is bio-degradable without effecting the environment