Characterization of Natural Cellulosic Fiber from Coccinia Grandis Root

ABSTRACT

Adapting a sustainable and ecofriendly material system needs strategic induction of viable natural material. Toward this mission, a potential plant fiber, Coccinia grandis root fiber (CGRF), was characterized extensively to utilize as reinforcement in composites. The polarized light microscopy and SEM micrograph images of CGRF revealed a porous xylem and a thin primary cell wall, whereas the secondary cell walls are thick and lumens are wide. The fiber density was low at 1.29 ± .005 g/cm³ with a cross-sectional area of .01408 ± .00352 mm². The existence of I_β cellulose with 54.31% crystallinity index (CI) in CGRF was exhibited through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies. Tensile tests revealed that tensile strength and Young’s modulus of CGRF were around 710 MPa and 12 GPa respectively. The thermo-gravimetric inspection assured the thermal steadiness of CGRFs until 280°C, which was sufficient enough to withstand the polymerization process, which is an intended application of this fiber.

摘要

适应可持续和生态友好的材料系统需要对可行的自然材料进行战略性诱导. 为了完成这项任务, 一种潜在的植物纤维——巨球虫根纤维 (CGRF) 被广泛用于复合材料的增强. CGRF的偏振光显微镜和SEM显微图像显示, 木质部多孔, 初级细胞壁薄, 而次级细胞壁厚, 管腔宽. 纤维密度低, 为1.29±0.005 g/cm3, 横截面积为0.01408±0.00352 mm2. 通过X射线衍射 (XRD) 和傅里叶变换红外光谱 (FTIR) 研究表明, CGRF中存在结晶指数为54.31%的Iβ纤维素. 拉伸试验表明, CGRF的拉伸强度和杨氏模量分别约为710MPa和12GPa. 热重分析检查确保了CGRFs在280°C之前的热稳定性, 这足以承受聚合过程, 这是该纤维的预期应用.

KEYWORDS:

• Coccinia grandis root fiber
• microstructural analysis
• physical properties
• tensile properties
• surface roughness characteristics
• thermal analysis

关键词:

• 巨球虫根纤维
• 显微组织分析
• 物理性质
• 拉伸性能
• 表面粗糙度特性
• 热分析

Highlights

• Coccinia grandis roots have porous xylem fibers by anatomical studies

• XRD and FTIR analyses of CGRFs reveal the existence of cellulose I_β

• Surface roughness analysis of CGRFs exhibits irregular and rough lateral surfaces

• Thermal stability of CGRFs is above polymerization temperature by TGA

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).