Cellulose Microfibres from Durian Waste using Modified Steam Explosion as Pre-treatment

Abstract

This study presents a steam explosion (SE) system as an effective pretreatment method for efficiently extracting cellulose microfibres (CMFs) from durian rind, which makes up a significant portion of the fruit (60–75%) and is often discarded as waste. It represents a significant agricultural waste resource of lignocellulosic biomass. SE pretreatment, optimized at 145 °C for 5 minutes on dried durian rind, significantly increased CMF recovery from 34.01% to 63.6%, exceeding typical yields reported in the literature for similar biomass sources. Comprehensive analyses confirmed the quality and structural integrity of the extracted cellulose. X-ray diffraction (XRD) identified the crystalline structure as cellulose type I, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) detected characteristic cellulose peaks, affirming its chemical purity. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated high thermal stability, with decomposition commencing at approximately 340 °C, consistent with pure cellulose. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed a smoother surface, refined fibre morphology, and a notable reduction in fibre diameter in SE-treated samples. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the SE system in enhancing CMF yield and purity, offering a sustainable, scalable approach for cellulose extraction from biomass. This work highlights the potential of SE technology as a transformative tool for valorising lignocellulosic waste, supporting its application in biocomposites, biofuels, and nanocellulose-based products.