Morphology and Structure of Bagasse Fiber after Chemical Treatment

Abstract Sugarcane as a raw material for the sugar industry plays a strategic role in the Indonesian economy. Higher production of sugar provides sugarcane waste namely bagasse, as a natural fiber, that has potential for a composite material. This study aims to observe the morphology and crystalline structure of bagasse fiber after chemical treatments using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and 2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidiny-l-oxyl (TEMPO). The methods included the immersion of bagasse fiber using 6% NaOH and TEMPO solution for 2 hours, then dried in an oven at 60 °C for 24 h. The dried fiber was then observed under Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology, and its structure was analyzed using X-ray diffraction. The bagasse fiber morphologies look different after being treated using 6% NaOH and TEMPO treatment. Both treatments of 6% NaOH and TEMPO solution cause the surface peel of bagasse fibers causing rougher fiber. Both treatments influence the crystallinity properties of bagasse fibers. The highest crystallinity peak was observed at a 22.4° angle for 6% NaOH + TEMPO-treated sample. The highest crystalline index was obtained in 6% NaOH-treated sample (58.38%). The crystalline size of bagasse fiber at 6% NaOH treatment is 7.60 nm and decreases to 2.88 nm with TEMPO treatment.