Dhaka University Journal of Applied Science & Engineering

• A. H. M. M. Rahman
  Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Ismat Ara Rahman
  Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Saw dust of Chambal Wood (artocarpus chaplasha), a cellulosic waste, was successfully utilized for the preparation of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC), a water-soluble cellulose ether. San dust was analyzed for its moisture, ash, alcohol-benzene soluble substances, lignin and alpha-cellulose contents. Alpha-cellulose fraction was isolated and subsequently carboxymethylated to Na-CMC. Water-soluble product was purified and degree of substitution value was determined, Multistage carboxymethylation was perforrmed to get highly substituted Na-CMC.

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