Optimization of the Strength Properties of Waste Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis) Fronds Fiber

In this study, Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to study the effects of alkaline peroxide treatment variables (cooking time, sodium hydroxide concentrations, and hydrogen peroxide concentrations) on the pulp and paper strength properties (screened pulp yield, kappa number, tensile index, tear index, burst index), which are considered dependent variables or response variable of the extracted cellulose from oil palm (Elaeisguineensis) fronds (OPF) vascular bundle fibers. The results indicated that at the optimum operating conditions of 2.35% NaOH, 5.00% H2O2 and a 53.41 min cooking time, resulting maximum strength properties (tensile index, burst index, tear index,) gave 9.92 Nm/g, 6.55 KPam2/g, 6.22 mNm2/g, respectively. The study revealed that alkaline peroxide pulped fibers of oil palm frond vascular bundles could be considered a suitable alternative for paper qualities with moderate strength requirements.