Kenaf dust filled chitosan bio-composites with various compositions of kenaf dust (i.e. 7%, 14%, 21% and
28%) were prepared using solution casting technique.The degree of relative crystallinity of the bio-composites was
determined using XRD method. Two distinguishable crystalline peaks were observed in the 28 range of 5 to 40° which
indexed as 020 and 110 respectively. It was noted that the maximum peak of intensity at 020 crystalline peak increased
with addition of kenaf dust as well as the second maximum peak of intensity at 110. Consequently, Fourier Transform
Infrared (FTIR) analysis was done to investigate the interaction between kenaf dust and chitosan matrix. From FTIR
analysis, corresponding peak of chitosan was detected at wavelength of 3233.2cm-1 indicated that there exist
intermolecular interactions between kenaf dust and chitosan matrix. These results highlighted that there are greater
intermolecular forces formed in chitosan with addition of kenaf dust. Intermolecular forces were attributed to the
formation of inter and intra hydrogen bonding between chitosan polymer and cellulosic kenaf dust filler.
Keywords: Chitosan, X-ray diffraction, FTIR. N. Muhd Julkapli and H. Md Akil
School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia,
14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
28%) were prepared using solution casting technique.The degree of relative crystallinity of the bio-composites was
determined using XRD method. Two distinguishable crystalline peaks were observed in the 28 range of 5 to 40° which
indexed as 020 and 110 respectively. It was noted that the maximum peak of intensity at 020 crystalline peak increased
with addition of kenaf dust as well as the second maximum peak of intensity at 110. Consequently, Fourier Transform
Infrared (FTIR) analysis was done to investigate the interaction between kenaf dust and chitosan matrix. From FTIR
analysis, corresponding peak of chitosan was detected at wavelength of 3233.2cm-1 indicated that there exist
intermolecular interactions between kenaf dust and chitosan matrix. These results highlighted that there are greater
intermolecular forces formed in chitosan with addition of kenaf dust. Intermolecular forces were attributed to the
formation of inter and intra hydrogen bonding between chitosan polymer and cellulosic kenaf dust filler.
Keywords: Chitosan, X-ray diffraction, FTIR. N. Muhd Julkapli and H. Md Akil
School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia,
14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
