Physicochemical, Thermal And Mechanical Properties of Novel Cellulosic Fiber Extracted from Ficus Retusa

ABSTRACT

Natural fibers play a vital role in reducing the greenhouse gas emission caused due to the use of synthetic fibers for composite making. Many novel natural fibers with promising characteristics required for reinforcing polymer matrices remain unexplored. In the present study, an attempt has been made to bring out the potentials of novel cellulosic fiber obtained from the bark of Ficus retusa. Various tests such as chemical, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric, differential scanning calorimetry, tensile, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy were performed on FR fibers. Cellulose (55.19 wt. %), hemicellulose (20.65 wt.%), lignin (20.87 wt.%), pectin (6.44 wt.%) and wax (2.80 wt.%) of FRFs were identified though chemical tests. X-ray diffraction revealed the crystallinity index (37.25%) and crystallite size (2.29 nm) of FRFs. Thermogravimetric analysis showed the ability of FRF to withstand 335.87°C and was found to exhibit activation energy of 64.38 kJ/mol. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of FRF was found to be 189.50–302.50 MPa and10.31–14.37 GPa. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed the atomic and weight percentages of various elements present at the fiber surface. Morphology of FR fiber surface examined through FESEM confirmed the existence of rough surface with some serrations and with porous honey combed structure. Higher crystallinity index, superior mechanical properties and higher thermal stability of FRF makes them suitable for eco-friendly composite making.

摘要

由于合成纤维用于复合材料制造, 天然纤维在减少温室气体排放方面起着至关重要的作用. 许多具有增强聚合物基质所需特性的新型天然纤维尚未开发. 在本研究中, 我们尝试从榕树树皮中提取新型纤维素纤维. 对FR纤维进行了各种测试, 如化学, X射线衍射, 傅里叶变换红外光谱, 热重分析, 差示扫描量热法, 拉伸, 能量色散X射线光谱和场发射扫描电子显微镜. 通过化学测试确定了FRF中的纤维素 (55.19 wt.%), 半纤维素 (20.65 wt.%), 木质素 (20.87 wt.%), 果胶 (6.44 wt.%) 和蜡 (2.80 wt.%) . X射线衍射显示FRF的结晶指数 (37.25%) 和晶粒尺寸 (2.29 nm) . 热重分析显示FRF能够承受335.87°C的温度, 并显示出64.38 kJ/mol的活化能. FRF的拉伸强度和杨氏模量分别为189.50-302.50MPa和10. 31-14.37GPa. 能量色散X射线光谱显示了纤维表面各种元素的原子和重量百分比. 通过FESEM检查FR纤维表面的形态, 证实存在粗糙表面, 带有一些锯齿和多孔蜂窝状结构. FRF具有更高的结晶指数, 优异的力学性能和更高的热稳定性, 适用于环保复合材料的制备.

KEYWORDS:

• Ficus retusa fiber
• chemical functional groups
• crystallinity index
• thermal stability
• energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
• tensile properties

Acknowledgments

The authors thank final year mechanical engineering students of Government Polytechnic college-Villupuram 605752, Tamilnadu India for rendering their support for carrying out this research work.

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

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

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Funding

The authors have no funding to report.