Effect of EDTA treatment on fibre structure of banana stem

Banana stem has the potential as alternative for wood pulp. To improve the effectiveness of soda pulping, EDTA (Ethyldiaminetetra acetic acid) was introduced as pre-treatment techniques, where it acts as a chelator to remove lignin and hemicellulose partially before it undergoes pulping. This research was performed to investigate the impact of EDTA on the structure of cellulose and the rate of lignin removal during aoda pulping of banana stem. The pulping process was performed at 20 percent wt/vol under atmospheric pressure using NaOH (Sodium hydroxide) and liquid/aolid ratio of 10. EDTA was added at different concentrations (0, 5 and 10%) and the pulping time for each sample was varied for 60, 90 and 120 minutes respectively. The produced banana stem was analysed for yield, fiber morphology, functional groups and thermal stability. Microscopic, FTIR and TGA are the tools used to analyse the pulp sample. It was discovered that soda pulping using 20% NaOH and 10% EDTA for 60 minutes showed the best fiber structure and paper where optimum circumstances were established. The experimental values and values from other studies were observed to obtain the accurate result.