Extraction and Characterization of Absorbent Core from Waste Cotton Fiber for Hygiene Applications

This study examines the extraction of absorbent powder as a value-added product, identified as one of the most effective methods for recycling waste cotton fiber (WCF). The resulting material holds considerable promise for application in essential hygiene products, including baby diapers and sanitary napkins. An alternative extraction technique utilizing sodium hypochlorite hydrolysis was employed, facilitating a more rapid process at reduced temperatures. The performance of the extracted absorbent core (EAC) was compared to that of the commercial absorbent core (CAC). The optimization of WCF extraction was conducted using response surface methodology (RSM). A Central Composite Design (CCD) was implemented to evaluate the influence of various independent variables, such as concentration, extraction time, and extraction temperature, on the yield of WCF extraction. The optimal conditions identified (0.1 g/ml concentration, 20 minutes of extraction time, and a temperature of 90°C) achieved an 86% yield of WCF, closely aligning with the anticipated yield of 85% from the experimental design. FT-IR and TGA analyses indicated that the properties of the EAC derived from WCF are comparable to those of the CAC. This research confirmed that NaOCl hydrolysis is an effective method for obtaining a high yield of WCF extracts.