The present study addressed the isolation of cellulose microfibers (CMF) from
Yucca leaves using chemical treatments. This study was conducted in three
stages, namely, two stages of alkaline treatments (NaOH 3%), and a single
stage of bleaching treatment (H2O2 6%). The resulting microfibers were
characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray diffraction
(XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR), and Thermogravimetric Analysis
(TGA). Alkaline and oxidative bleaching treatments had a positive impact
on defibrillation and morphology of the fibers by the partial removal of noncellulosic materials. FTIR results also revealed that most of the amorphous
components were removed through proper alkali and bleaching treatments
from the fibers. Further, SEM analysis showed that cellulose microfibers with
an average diameter of 7 µm were successfully isolated with a yield of about
25%. The crystallinity index (76%) and crystallite size (3.41 nm) of CMF were
also determined through the XRD analysis. The method used in this study led
to the isolation of the microfibers with the thermal stability of 215°C and
activation energy of 67.72 kJ/mol. The values obtained in this study were
reasonably promising for the use of Yucca cellulose microfibers in various
applications, such as reinforced-polymer manufacturing.