Effect of acetic acid concentration on obtaining cellulose acetate from oil palm mesocarp fibers (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

This work aimed to produce cellulose acetate from the mesocarp fibers of palm oil treated with sodium hydroxide (MFA) and bleached with sodium chlorite. Cellulose acetate was obtained from the different materials by homogeneous acetylation in the mass proportions of: 1:5, 1:10 and 1:15 (acetic acid), 1:15 (acetic anhydride) and 1:0.1 (sulfuric acid). The degree of substitution was determined by chemical methods and by 1H-NMR. The cellulose acetate obtained from the combination of alkaline treatments followed by bleaching showed degree of substitution of 2.81 (CAAB5), 3.02 (CAAB10) and 3.07 (CAAB15), corresponding to yield values (w/w) of 50.45%, 65.5% and 97.21%. Based on the analysis of the results, we can say that the amount of acetic acid and the type of treatment used in the fibers of the mesocarp of oil palm directly influenced the quality and yield of cellulose acetate, with CAAB15 being the best reaction condition.