Effect of Nitration Temperature and Time on Nitrocellulose Synthesized from Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Leaf Waste

University of Riau, Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, 28295 Pekanbaru, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: yelmida.azis@lecturer.unri.ac.id

Abstract

Nitrocellulose is widely used as a key energetic material due to its high combustion efficiency and strong ignition characteristics. This study investigates the effect of nitration temperature and reaction time on the synthesis of nitrocellulose derived from pineapple leaf waste, an abundant lignocellulosic by-product. Pineapple leaf cellulose was nitrated using 65% HNO₃ and 98% H₂SO₄ at temperatures of 5°C, 10°C, and 15°C with reaction times of 40, 50, and 60 min. The resulting nitrocellulose was washed and neutralized before undergoing combustion analysis and FTIR characterization. The combustion test showed that samples treated at 10°C and 15°C for 60 min exhibited the strongest flame intensity, indicating a higher degree of nitration. FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of nitro groups, as demonstrated by absorption peaks around ~1270 cm⁻¹ and ~1645 cm⁻¹ accompanied by a reduction in −OH intensity. The combined results confirm that both temperature and duration strongly influence the nitration process, with optimal conditions achieved at 60 min and moderate temperatures. Nitrocellulose synthesized under these conditions demonstrates properties consistent with potential applications in propellant formulations.