Valorization of sago hampas: extraction of microcrystalline cellulose and its role in enhancing bio-composite properties

Abstract Conventionally, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is extracted from lignocellulosic biomass through sulfuric acid hydrolysis. Despite its effectiveness, this method has certain limitations. In this work, an environmentally friendly and sustainable method was utilized to create MCC from sago hampas, a unique biomass in Borneo. This innovative method utilized organic acid hydrolysis with 50% (w/v) oxalic acid, offering a greener alternative to traditional inorganic acids. This paper presents the MCC extraction process from pretreatment to acid hydrolysis. The properties of MCC derived from sago hampas with different particle sizes (125 µm and 63 µm) are also highlighted. Then, different concentrations of MCC (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 wt.%) were reinforced into Poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) to fabricate MCC-PCL bio-composites. Reinforcing 1.5 wt.% of MCC improved the mechanical properties of MCC-PCL bio-composite in terms of bending strength and modulus of elasticity by 18% and 73%, respectively. The addition of MCC to the PCL matrix caused changes in the morphology and thermal stability of the bio-composite. Finally, biodegradability testing showed that reinforcing MCC into PCL can dramatically reduce the MCC-PCL bio-composite biodegradation rate.