Characterization of Chemically Treated Limonia Acidissima (Wood Apple) Shell Powder: Physicochemical, Thermal, and Morphological Properties

ABSTRACT

The latest environmental legislations imposed by various governments across the globe have made exceptional utilization of biodegradable (green) materials in composite structures. The strengthening of natural based composites depends mainly on the properties of natural fiber reinforcement. Their incompatible hydrophilic nature which affects the bonding of the hydrophobic matrix is a major limitation in the use of natural fiber. Hence in the present work, to overcome the limitation, Limonia acidissima shell powder was subjected to alkali chemical treatment. Characterization of processed samples was evaluated through chemical analysis, proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), TGA (Thermo Gravimetric Analysis), and DTA (Differential Thermal Analysis). Also using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) the microstructures were analyzed. The alkaline treatment effect on Limonia acidissima shell powder showed that the removal of non-cellulose materials (lignin, hemicellulose, and wax) from the surface of fiber resulted in a drastic improvement in cellulose content. Also, the treatment enhanced the fixed carbon content, improved crystallinity index as well as crystal size, and delay in thermal degradation. The alkali-treated Limonia acidissima shell powder surface has become rough and allowing it to have stronger matrix bonding.

摘要

全球各国政府颁布的最新环境立法使得可生物降解(绿色)材料在复合材料结构中得到了特殊的应用. 天然基复合材料的增强主要取决于天然纤维增强材料的性能. 它们不相容的亲水性影响了疏水性基质的结合是天然纤维应用的主要限制. 因此为了克服这一局限性本研究对柠檬壳粉进行了碱化学处理. 通过化学分析、工业分析、元素分析、FT-IR傅里叶变换红外光谱、XRD(X射线衍射)、TGA热重分析和DTA(差热分析)对处理后样品的特性进行了评估. 并利用扫描电镜(SEM)对其微观结构进行了分析. 对酸性柠檬壳粉的碱处理效果表明去除纤维表面的非纤维素物质(木质素、半纤维素和蜡)可显著提高纤维素含量. 同时处理提高了固定碳含量改善了结晶指数和晶粒尺寸延缓了热降解. 碱处理后的柠檬壳粉表面变得粗糙使其具有更强的基体结合力.

KEYWORDS:

• Natural fibers
• characterization
• FTIR
• XRD
• TGA
• DTA
• SEM

关键词:

• 天然纤维
• 特征化
• FTIR
• XRD
• TGA
• DTA
• SEM

Acknowledgement

The work was financed by the King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB), Thailand and grant funded under KMUTNB-BasicR-64-16.