Impact of hydrofluoric (HF) acid treatment on morphological and chemical structure of agricultural wastes

Javed, Muhammad Amir and Ramzan, Naveed and Aslam, Umair and Mukhtar, Hina and Hussain, Iftikhar and Zahir, Abdul (2023) Impact of hydrofluoric (HF) acid treatment on morphological and chemical structure of agricultural wastes. International Journal of Biomass & Renewables (Malaysia), 12. pp. 13-18. ISSN 2289-1692

Acid, base and/or water treatments expand biomass utilisation by reducing ash contents and improving energy density and higher heating values. Dilute acid treatment results in negative impacts on the physiochemical structure of biomass. This study aimed to analyse the effects of hydrofluoric (HF) acid (5% w/w) on the morphological and chemical structure of Wheat Straw (WS), Cotton Stalk (CS) and Rice Husk (RH). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) exposed physical changes after treatment, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to evaluate the changes in available functional groups in the composition of biomass samples. Dilute HF resulted in pronounced changes in morphology and chemical functional groups of all biomasses. Proximate analysis showed carbonaceous material is also affected; the increment in volatiles (9.27%, 7.7% and 6.9% for RH, WS and CS, respectively) and fixed carbon was observed while ash contents reduced. Furthermore, the influence of all samples on the thermal processing of biomass is compared.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ijbr/article/v...

Abstract

Acid, base and/or water treatments expand biomass utilisation by reducing ash contents and improving energy density and higher heating values. Dilute acid treatment results in negative impacts on the physiochemical structure of biomass. This study aimed to analyse the effects of hydrofluoric (HF) acid (5% w/w) on the morphological and chemical structure of Wheat Straw (WS), Cotton Stalk (CS) and Rice Husk (RH). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) exposed physical changes after treatment, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to evaluate the changes in available functional groups in the composition of biomass samples. Dilute HF resulted in pronounced changes in morphology and chemical functional groups of all biomasses. Proximate analysis showed carbonaceous material is also affected; the increment in volatiles (9.27%, 7.7% and 6.9% for RH, WS and CS, respectively) and fixed carbon was observed while ash contents reduced. Furthermore, the influence of all samples on the thermal processing of biomass is compared.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	agricultural wastes
AGROVOC Term:	biomass
AGROVOC Term:	chemical structure
AGROVOC Term:	morphology
AGROVOC Term:	analytical methods
AGROVOC Term:	chemical reagents
AGROVOC Term:	structural adjustment
AGROVOC Term:	chemical composition
Geographical Term:	Pakistan
Depositing User:	Nor Hasnita Abdul Samat
Date Deposited:	14 Nov 2025 07:47
Last Modified:	03 Feb 2026 03:10
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1450

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