Assessment of Different Reaction Media for the Facile Synthesis of Cellulose-Derived Biorenewable Polymer Cationic Cellulose: Synthesis, Characterization, and Perspectives

Cationic cellulose stands out as a versatile and commercially important derivative of cellulose, known for its superior reactivity and functional properties. The present study demonstrates the optimal utilization and management of bagasse waste through cationic cellulose synthesis. It primarily focuses on the development of an optimized and efficient etherification strategy for cationic cellulose synthesis by systematically evaluating three distinct approaches, which could serve as a breakthrough for the selection of the best suitable media for the optimal synthesis of cationic cellulose for various industrial applications. Proximate chemical analysis was conducted to assess the chemical makeup of sugarcane bagasse, which showed the presence of 73.27% holocellulose, 23.45% lignin, 3.08% solvent (alcohol-benzene) extractives, and 5.08% ash, with an ample occurrence of alpha cellulose (43.21%), thereby showing its utility for cationic cellulose synthesis. Alpha cellulose extracted in bulk was processed through three different approaches for the preparation of cationic cellulose instead of conventional ones. Approach I removes an excess amount of water prior to etherification, while Approach II retains water from the alkalization step, and Approach III utilizes isopropanol as an additional medium during cationic cellulose synthesis. Approach I involves preparing and adding 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (EPTAC) separately, whereas Approach II forms it in situ from 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (CHPTAC). In Approach III, EPTAC prepared separately, is added dropwise to the cellulose alkoxide. The results of the study show that the cationic cellulose synthesized by Approach I had the highest degree of substitution (0.120), followed by Approach III (0.088) and Approach II (0.016), respectively. The cationic cellulose having the maximum DS (0.12) was further characterized through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEGSEM). Conclusively, heterogeneous cationic cellulose synthesis through the recommended approach (Approach I) will not only help in the preparation of a quality cationic cellulose product but will also help conserve resources that could be utilized for the production of other valued products elsewhere in the near future.