Physicochemical Characterization of Cattle Dung Fibre Under the Hydrothermal Process
Abstract Cattle dung fibre is a lignocellulosic material abundant and sustainable non-wood source of polymeric components, which can be converted into high added-value products. Hydrothermal treatment of the fibre obtained from cow dung was explored using four different temperatures (120, 140, 160 and 180 ◦C) and incubation times (0 and 120 minutes) at a fixed material to water ratio (1:10). The present study resulted in the highest yield of 94% (w/w) that gradually decreased with temperature and incubation time. The physicochemical analysis revealed that hydrothermal treatment resulted in high cellulose, low lignin, and ash content (51.6%, 30.93%, and 6.3%, respectively) at 160◦C for 2 hr incubation time and was appropriate for pulp and paper production. The SEM and X-ray crystallography indicates the treatment resulted in separated fibrils and a porous structure. Both FTIR studies and chemical characterisation techniques were used to optimize the temperature and duration of hydrothermal treatment. Overall, the study presents the first report on the extraction of fibres from cow dung and their hydrothermal treatment. In perspective, it is possible to achieve the properties required for its industrial-scale conversion to eco-friendly papers by heating the fibre under controlled conditions.