Physico-mechanical, Chemical Composition and Thermal Properties of Cellulose Fiber from Hibiscus vitifolius Plant Stalk for Polymer Composites

ABSTRACT

In the present work, physico-mechanical, chemical composition, and thermal properties of cellulosic fiber extracted from the stem of Hibiscus vitifolius plant have been investigated. The wide characterization was conducted on the Hibiscus vitifolius (HV) fibers and the results proved their potentials for composite applications. Characterization tests on HV fibers confirmed the chemical constituents such as cellulose (75.09 wt. %), lignin (10.42 wt. %), hemicelluloses (13.34 wt. %), wax (0.17 wt. %), ash (0.94 wt. %) and moisture content (11.31 wt. %). The density of HVFs was found to be 1530 kg/m³. X-ray diffraction analysis of HVFs revealed 67.07% crystallinity index and 2.09 nm crystallite size. Tensile strength and percentage of elongation at failure exhibited by HVFs examined through single fiber tensile test was found to be 224.32–716.70 MPa and 3.99–8.77%. Thermo gravimetric analysis revealed thermal stability of HVFs up to 260^°C with kinetic activation energy of 126.86 kJ/mol. Cellulose with high crystallinity index, lower wax content, good tensile resistance and better thermal behavior make HV fibers more suitable for composite manufacturing. The morphology of fiber surface studied through SEM images revealed the presence of more roughness at the outer surface which can improve the fiber-matrix bonding during composites preparation.

摘要

研究了从木槿茎中提取的纤维素纤维的物理力学、化学组成和热性能. 对木槿纤维进行了广泛的表征，证明了其在复合材料中的应用潜力. HV纤维的特性测试证实了纤维素（75.09 wt.%）、木质素（10.42 wt.%）、半纤维素（13.34 wt.%）、蜡（0.17 wt.%）、灰分（0.94 wt.%）和水分（11.31 wt.%）等化学成分. HVFs的密度为1530kg/m3. X射线衍射分析表明，HVFs的结晶指数为67.07%，晶粒尺寸为2.09nm. 通过单纤维拉伸试验，HVFs的拉伸强度和断裂伸长率分别为224.32-716.70mpa和3.99-8.77%. 热重分析显示HVFs的热稳定性高达260°C的活化能为126.86kj/mol. 纤维素具有结晶指数高、含蜡量低、抗张性能好、热性能好等特点，更适合于复合材料制造. 通过扫描电镜（SEM）观察纤维表面的形貌，发现在复合材料制备过程中，纤维表面的粗糙度增加，有利于纤维与基体的结合.

KEYWORDS:

• Hibiscus vitifolius fibers
• cellulose
• functional groups
• x-ray diffraction
• thermal degradation

关键词:

• 芙蓉纤维
• 纤维素
• 功能群
• 射线衍射
• 热降解

Acknowledgments

The authors sincerely appreciate the, South Indian Textile Research Association (SITRA), SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India, and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Erode, Tamilnadu, India for their kind permission to prepare and test the composite samples in their laboratories/workshops

Additional information

Funding

No funding source