METHODOLOGY

LIST OF CHEMICALS/ MATERIALS USED

Sawdust/Cogon leaves 6M NaOH
Laundry bleach Sodium sulfide solution

LIST OF APPARATUS USED

100-mL Beaker Stirrer
1.00 L Beaker Thermometer

METHODOLOGY

The cogon leaves were cut into fine pieces enough to fill a 500-mL beaker. It was

transferred into a 1.00-L beaker. 300 mL of 6M NaOH solution was added to the beaker.

Then 75 mL of sodium sulfide solution was added to the beaker (sodium sulfide is toxic,

avoid contact with it). The mixture was heated until it boiled and was boiled gently for 30

minutes. The beaker was removed from the heat and the wood pulp was allowed to settle at

the bottom. The appearance of the liquid was noticed. It contained resins, gums, lignin, and

other soluble substances. The liquid was carefully poured off. Cheesecloth was used to filter

the liquid properly. The beaker was filled with water, stirred to mix and allowed the pulp to

settle again. The water layer was poured off. The pH of the filtrate was measured and the

filtrate was discarded afterwards. The washing of the pulp was repeated for two or three times

to remove the sodium sulfide and sodium hydroxide. The pH of the filtrate of the 2nd and 3rd

washing was measured. 200 mL of laundry bleach was added to the pulp to remove some of

its color and was left for about an hour. The bleach was poured off and the pulp was washed
several times. The pulp was then poured carefully onto the wire screen and was spread out as

thinly as possible. The wet pulp was air dried for two to three days. The paper was removed

carefully from the wire screen and was weighed after being dried.