Synthesis of Nanocellulose from Salak Pondoh (Salacca edulis) Frond Using Ultrasound Method as TiO2/Nanocellulose Photocatalyst Supporting Materials

Rahmawati Dyan Kusuma, Didik Krisdiyanto

Uin Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta Indonesia

Abstract:
Nanocellulose from Salak Pondoh (Salacca edulis) Frond was synthesized using the ultrasound method and then used as a supporting material for TiO2/nanocellulose photocatalyst. This study aims to examine the characteristics of nanocellulose from salak fronds synthesized using the ultrasonic method and to determine the characteristics of TiO2/nanoselulose photocatalyst with nanocellulose as a carrier. Nanocellulose from Salak Pondoh (Salacca edulis) Frond was synthesized using acid hydrolysis and ultrasonication methods, and the results were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Titanium dioxide was impregnated onto nanocellulose in a one-step method using tetrabutyl titanate precursor, and the results were characterized using FTIR, XRD, and UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS). The characterization results of nanocellulose with FTIR showed typical absorption peaks of cellulose at 894 cm-1, which is the stretching vibration of the glycosidic bond, and the XRD results showed absorption peaks that match with JCPDS 50-2241 data, indicating a nanocrystalline cellulose structure with an average crystal size of 4.2 nm and crystallinity of 34%. The characterization of TiO2/nanocellulose photocatalyst was conducted with FTIR, showing typical Ti-O absorption peaks, and XRD showed typical cellulose and TiO2 anatase peaks in accordance with JCPDS 21-1272, with an average composite size of 3.7 nm and crystallinity of 43.4%. Characterization of the nanocomposite with UV-Vis DRS showed a band gap energy of 3.8 eV, fulfilling the requirements as a photocatalyst.