Thermoplasticization of bagasse by cyanoethylation

To develop a new technique for the effective utilization of bagasse, cyanoethylation was attempted to see if bagasse could be converted into a thermoplastic material. The effects of various reaction parameters (temperature, time, alkali concentration, and acrylonitrile-to-bagasse ratio) on the extent of the cyanoethylation reaction were studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was done to demonstrate the occurrence of cyanoethylation; thermogravimetric analysis, to study the thermal stability of the produced cyanoethylated bagasse; X-ray diffraction, to follow the change in the supramolecular structure; and scanning electron microscopy of hot-pressed cyanoethylated bagasse to show the occurrence of thermoplasticization. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.