Abstract

• In this research, the preparation of cellulose powders from the wheat straw powder and sawdust powder by dewaxing and pulping processes, the preparation of cellulose acetates by the sonification process, and the identification of prepared cellulose acetates by chemical and spectral analyses were carried out. The cellulose acetates were prepared by the optimized acetylation of respective celluloses with an acetic acid-acetic anhydride-toluene solvent mixture using perchloric acid as a catalyst increasing the reaction rate for 1, 2, 3, and 4 h of sonication. The acetylation procedure was modulated by an ultrasonic cleaner. Then, the prepared cellulose acetates (WSCAs and SDCAs) from wheat straw powder and sawdust powder had been identified by chemical (acid-base titration) and spectral (FT IR, XRD, NMR) analyses for the degree of substitution of acetyl groups on the corresponding prepared cellulose acetates. From the titration data, FTIR spectral data and XRD spectral data, the optimum acetylation by 1 h sonication, which provides the highest degree of substitution and the highest yield percent, had been selected. Then WSCA-1 and SDCA-1 obtained by selected acetylation were further identified by 1H and 13C NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopic methods.