EFFECTS ON THE CRYSTALLINATION OF SUGAR CANE BAGAZO (Saccharum spp.) BY CHEMICAL PRETREATMENT USING X-RAY DISPERSION IN WIDE ANGLE (WAXS)

Abstract

Using the technique of wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) using synchrotron radiation, it is studied in the morphological changes in the lignocellulosic biomass produced by the sugar bagasse of Saccharum spp., after being a chemical pre-treatments in H₂SO₄ or NaOH. 1D WAXS one-dimensional profiles were obtained, with which the percentage of crystallinity in the fibers and the crystal size of the cellulose embedded in the lignocellulose matrix was determined. These parameters seek information on the crystalline modifications of the bagasse samples studied, observing that pretreatment with NaOH promotes a transformation of crystalline to amorphous cellulose. The results are relevant in the issue of bioethanol production from agroindustrial waste.