Natural Cellulose Fibers from the Stems of Chrysanthemum Indicum

ABSTRACT

We present a comprehensive approach to utilize the residues of Chrysanthemum indicum as a source for natural cellulose fibers and carbon for removal of dyes and other pollutants. C. indicum is one of the most common sources for flowers for conventional decoration and also for various chemicals and essential oils. However, flowers form only a part of the plant and the leaves and stems are the major components in terms of weight. The stems and leaves are generally considered as waste and disposed. In this study, we have utilized the stems as a source of natural cellulose fibers. Further, the fibers were carbonized and activated with KOH to improve porosity and pore size. Natural cellulose fibers obtained from the stems were shorter compared to cotton, jute or other common lignocellulosic fibers. However, good strength (121 MPa) and high elongation (14%) make the fibers similar to wool and suitable for developing textiles and composites. The fibers were able to sorb up to 95% of methylene blue within 24 hours under ambient conditions. Carbon obtained from the fibers after activating with 2:1 ratio of KOH has surface area of about 1450 m²/g and a highly porous structure preferable for sorption and energy storage applications. The activated carbon was able to sorb up to 148 mg of dye per gram of activated carbon. Utilizing the C. indicum stems as a source of fibers and carbon will help to further develop sustainable chemicals and materials for commodity applications.

摘要

我们提出了一种综合利用野菊花残渣作为天然纤维素纤维和碳源去除染料和其他污染物的方法. 野菊花是一种最常见的花卉资源, 用于传统装饰, 也用于各种化学品和精油. 然而, 花只是植物的一部分, 叶和茎是重量的主要组成部分. 茎和叶通常被视为废物并进行处理. 在这项研究中, 我们利用茎作为天然纤维素纤维的来源. 此外, 用KOH对纤维进行碳化和活化, 以提高孔隙率和孔径. 从茎中获得的天然纤维素纤维比棉, 黄麻或其他普通木质纤维短. 然而, 良好的强度 (121 MPa) 和高延伸率 (14%) 使纤维类似于羊毛, 适合开发纺织品和复合材料. 在环境条件下, 纤维能够在24小时内吸收高达95%的亚甲基蓝. 以2:1的KOH比例活化后从纤维中获得的碳具有约1450 m2/g的表面积和高度多孔结构, 更适合吸附和储能应用. 活性炭每克活性炭能吸附高达148毫克的染料. 利用菊花茎作为纤维和碳的来源将有助于进一步开发用于商品应用的可持续化学品和材料.

KEYWORDS:

• Chrysanthemum indicum stems
• natural cellulose fibers
• activated carbon
• methylene blue

关键词:

• 野菊花茎
• 天然纤维素纤维
• 亚甲基
• 蓝活性炭

Acknowledgments

Narendra Reddy and Vijaykumar Guna thank the Center for Incubation Innovation Research and Consultancy for their financial support to complete the study.

Disclosure statement

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