Preparation of cellulose nanofibers paper from oil empty fruit bunch / Mohd Nurikhmal Othman

In this study, cellulose nanofiber (CNF) was isolated from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) using chemo-mechanical process Then the CNF was used to produce paper and compare with cellulose paper. CNF was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Atomic Force Miccroscopy (AFM). Infrared analysis show complete removal of lignin and hemicellulose due to the absence of peak around 1200 cm-1 and 1700 cm-1 respectively. The morphology of the CNF was evaluated using AFM. AFM analysis showed the morphology of the CNF, in term of size and diameter were nanosized. Furthermore, the papers produced were been tested in term of optical, structural and mechanical properties using paper testing machines. Paper from CNF show the superior results of mechanical strength properties compared with bleached cellulose.