Figure 3

Scanning electron microscopy images of the surface of sugarcane bagasse fibers before and after undergoing alkaline treatments. (a) untreated sample, showing the closely packed structure of the fiber bundle surface; (b) sample treated with H₂SO₄ 1% and NaOH 0.5%, with individual fibers starting to come apart; (c) sample treated with H₂SO₄ 1% and NaOH 2%, with unattached and independent fibers and (d) general view of a degraded bagasse bundle with loose fibers.