Study on structural and thermal properties of cellulose microfibers isolated from pineapple leaves using steam explosion

In Thailand, pineapple leaves are one of the most common agricultural wastes after cultivation. The aim of this research was to understand effects of the steam explosion treatment conditions (steam pressure and treatment cycle) on properties of cellulose microfibers extracted from pineapple leaves. The fibers were steam exploded at pressure of 16 and 20 kgf cm−2 between 1 and 5 cycles. The steam explosion technique could partially eliminate...