The liquefaction of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) in phenol was carried out in the presence of sulfuric acid as a catalyst in the reflux condenser system. The effect of initial phenol input and EFB on liquefaction reaction was investigated by measuring the reaction yield, EFB residue and combined phenol. The initial ratio of phenol to EFB has the greatest influence on the residue and reaction yield. The liquefaction products consist of some liquid by products with high amount of OH groups. The amount of this byproduct is 0.5 time of the solid product (phenolic resin).
Biofiber is used in the polymer based composite as a renewable resource due to its positive environmental benefits, biodegradable properties, low cost and high toughness. Biocomposite was fabricated using oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as filler in phenolated EFB (PEFB) matrix. Phenolated EFB (PEFB) obtained from liquefaction of EFB in phenol was used as a biopolymer to replace novolak phenolic resin which is commonly used in composite materials. Sulfuric acid was used as a catalyst in the liquefaction reaction. The effect of thermal aging and blending ratio of PEFB matrix and EFB fibers on the mechanical properties of composites has been studied. The flexural data before and after thermal aging revealed the optimum amount of EFB filler is 50% . The result showed better compatibility between EFB and PEFB when compared with EFB and commercial novolak resin.
Proses pencecairan lignin soda telah dilakukan dengan menggunakan fenol dengan nisbah 1:3. Proses dilakukan selama 90 minit pada suhu 130oC dalam keadaan refluk. Hasil pencecairan iaitu pemfenolan lignin (PL) telah dianalisis dengan Spektrometer Inframerah Transformasi Fourier (FTIR), reometer dan analisis termogravimetri (TGA). Sampel yang disintesis dengan menggunakan asid hidroklorik sebagai mangkin memberikan keputusan yang terbaik. Analisis FTIR menunjukkan kehadiran kumpulan berfungsi yang signifikan seperti gelang aromatik, alkohol dan karbonil. Kesemua sampel PL mematuhi persamaan Arhenius dan bersifat pseudo-plastik. Peratus kehilangan berat sampel dan kadar penguraian sampel PL dipengaruhi oleh jenis mangkin yang digunakan. Sampel PL yang disintesis dikelaskan sebagai biopolimer resin fenolik.