WOOD RESEARCH Volume 64, Number 6, 2019
Silungile H. Ngceza, Linda Z. Linganiso, Setumo V. Motloung, Lehlohonolo F. Koao, Ella C. Linganiso, and Tshwafo E. Motaung

The effect of silver salts on the properties of sugarcane bagasse cellulose

In this study, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) methods were used to study the structure and the thermal degradation of the cellulose modified with silver nitrate, silver sulphate and silver borate. The absorption of the nitrate derivative is more intense followed by the borate. All the cellulose derivatives showed two degradation steps, except for bromate derivatives which indicated the third peak that is related to a nature and chemistry of a derivative presence. The modification seems competent for an application for modified fillers in polymer composites.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 64, Number 4, 2019
Thulani Shabangu, Linda Z. Linganiso, Tshwafo E. Motaung, Motloung V. Setumo, and Lehlohonolo F. Koao

Comparison of fibre from maize stalk domains and sugar cane bagasse

The aim of this study is to investigate properties of pulverised cellulosic material from parts of maize stalks and sugar cane bagasse (SCB). Both materials were foremost subjected to a cutting mill before boiling with water. The chemical compositions and mechanical properties of the maize stalk residues and sugar cane bagasse were performed using a TAPPI standard. Optical microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) were used to characterise the materials. Rind displays thinner and longer fibres, which are less unequal and almost quadrangular. In fact, it has a highest crystallinity trailed by nodes and sugar cane bagasse in sequence. Interestingly, thermal stability of SCB is dominating followed by rind and nodes.