Determining Molecular Weight and Polymerization^s Degree of &#945--Cellulose Isolated from Young Coconut Coir (Cocos nucifera L.) Using the Viscosity Method
Zainuddin Muchtar1, Moondra Zubir1, Siti Rahmah1, Sri Adelila Sari1, Teguh Febri Sudharma2, Rini Selly1, Puspa Sari Panjaitan1

1Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Medan, Jl. Willem Iskandar, Ps V, Medan Estate, Medan, North Sumatera
2Physics Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Medan, Jl. Willem Iskandar, Ps V, Medan Estate, Medan, North Sumatera

Abstract

Coconut coir is the largest component in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) which contains 75% fiber and 25% cork. Coconut fiber contains cellulose as much as 54.3% with &#945--Cellulose 26.6% &#945--Cellulose is a polymer that is widely used in human life. The molecular weight and degree of polymerization are important because they directly affect the chemical properties of the polymer. The purpose of this study is to determine the molecular weight and degree of polymerization of &#945--Cellulose by viscosity method and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR). The results showed that the molecular weight and degree of polymerization of &#945--Cellulose of young coconut coir (Cocos nucifera L.) were 3,0841.104 gr/mol and 171 gr/mol, respectively. While the FT-IR results show a wavelength of 3328,534 cm-1, 2891,254 cm-1 which indicates the presence of O-H, C-H groups.

Keywords: Coconut, &#945--Cellulose, Molecular Weight, Polymerization^s Degree

Topic: Mathematics and Natural Sciences