Synthesis and characterization of cellulose phosphate from oil palm empty fruit bunches microcrystalline cellulose

Phosphorylated cellulose is a biopolymer with potential use in biomaterials. The typical cellulosic raw materials used in its derivation are often wood-based. Nonetheless, cellulose can also be extracted and is readily available in large quantities from non-wood alternatives. One such viable source is empty fruit bunch fiber (OPEFB), a by-product of the oil palm industry. In this work, OPEFB cellulose phosphate (OPEFB-CP) gel was successfully synthesized from OPEFB microcrystalline cellulose using the H 3 PO 4 /P 2 O 5 /Et 3 PO 4 /hexanol procedure. The characterization of the OPEFB-CP was performed using EDX analysis , FTIR and CP/MAS 13 C- and 31 P-NMR spectroscopic analyses and provided clear evidence of successful phosphorylation. Through CP/MAS 13 C NMR, the distribution of the phosphate moiety among the three OH groups in the glucose residues was shown to be preferably located at the C6 position, resulting in a 53% reduction in crystallinity . Thermal stability of the OPEFB-MCC decreased upon phosphorylation.