Development of Cellulose Acetate Derived From Oil Palm Residue as Polymeric Membrane Featuring A Microporous Structure and Its Efficacy in CO 2 Adsorption

ABSTRACT Crop‐derived biomass residue from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) was transformed into cellulose acetate via an acetylation process, functioning as a membrane material for carbon dioxide adsorption. The membrane was synthesized through the integration of cellulose acetate with N‐Methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) and zinc oxide (ZnO) at different concentrations. The characterization of cellulose acetate derived from OPEFB exhibited favorable thermal properties. The integration of cellulose acetate derived from OPEFB, NMP, and ZnO resulted in a membrane characterized by a dense, microporous structure, indicating a limited capacity for carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) retention. Variation in NMP and ZnO concentration exhibited no substantial influence on mechanical characteristics, particularly tensile strength. The incorporation of NMP exceeding 85% was associated with a decrease in the membrane's elongation at break. The presence of solvents and additives influences the membrane microstructure; however, an increase in their concentration does not inherently enhance CO 2 adsorption on cellulose acetate membranes. The conversion of cellulose‐rich crop‐derived biomass residues, such as OPEFB, into cellulose acetate offers insights into the chemical synthesis of byproducts derived from the palm oil industry.