Heru Suryanto, Eko Marsyahyo, Yudy Surya Irawan, Rudy Soenoko
The research aim is to investigate the effect of alkali treatment on the crystalline structure of Mendong fiber. The experiment was conducted by immerse fibers in 100 ml NaOH solution by a concentration of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% for 2 hours at the room temperature. The specimens were characterized by X-ray diffraction method. The morphology of fiber treated by alkali was observed by Scanning Electron Microscope. The result shows that the crystalline structure of cellulose in Mendong fiber was changed in alkali treatment. It was found that both the degree of crystallinity and crystalline index of Mendong fiber was increased until alkali treatment concentration of 7.5%. Copyright © 2014 Trans Tech Publications Ltd, Switzerland.
Post-Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, State University of Malang, Indonesia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, East-Java, Indonesia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Brawijaya, East-Java, Indonesia
