Abstract

• In this research work, sugar cane bagasse waste (raw material) was used as a cellulose source which was chemically treated by sequential operation of sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite. The yield percent of the purified cellulose fiber was 32.31 %. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT IR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) measurements were carried out to characterize the properties of raw material as well as cellulose fiber obtained from each sequential step. Cellulose fiber (1g) was dissolved in Dimethylacetamide /Lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl) solution containing different lithium chloride concentration of 6, 8, 10 and 12 wt %. The different hydrogel films were obtained from above cellulose solutions of different solvent ratios leading to solid hydrogel in ethanol vapor by phase inverse method. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, thickness, width, elongation, viscoelasticity and water content were measured to characterize the effect of LiCl concentrations on the resultant hydrogel films. Antimicrobial activities of cellulose solutions were tested for the purpose of using hydrogel films to biomedical applications.