Effect of Sodium Hydroxide Concentrations on Properties of Panicum repens for Pulp and Paper

Panicum repens is a species of grass known by many common names, including torpedo grass, creeping panic, panic rampant, couch panicum, wainaku grass, quack grass, dog-tooth grass, and bullet grass. The paper has been made from non-wood materials for long times. This research was used Panicum repens for made grass pulp as non-wood fiber. The influence of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations on properties of pulp from Panicum repens was investigated under room temperature. NaOH concentration levels were varied at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, respectively. Moreover, Paper pulp from Panicum repens was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). This research has controlled the length of fiber approximately 0.5-2.5 cm before soaked with NaOH concentration at 1 hour and soak with water for controlled pH value at 7-8. Paper pulp was formed on a sieve. The result showed that color of paper pulp made from Panicum repens was light brown and green. SEM showed that NaOH concentration affects the physical properties of paper pulp. Moreover, true density of paper pulp was also investigated in this research.