Characterization of Natural Cellulosic Fiber from Cocos nucifera Peduncle for Sustainable Biocomposites

ABSTRACT

The aim of this research is to see whether coconut tree peduncle fiber (CTPF) can be used as a potential polymer composite reinforcement. The cellulose content (50.11 wt.%) provides a strong single fiber tensile strength (137 MPa) to CTPF, and the surface morphology shows porous surface, thereby promoting better bonding with the matrix. The higher crystalline size and semi-crystalline nature of CTPF highlighted its low density (1.360 g/cm³) and water absorption properties. Lignin (24.9 wt.%), combined with a low wax content (0.3 wt.%) and presence of porous surfaces and microfibrils found by scanning electron micrographs, allows for stronger bonding between the matrix and fibers. With the existence of chemical groups detected by Fourier transform infrared analysis, the low density (1.360 g/cm³), semi-crystalline nature (52%), and larger crystalline size (6.5 nm) guarantees the least water absorption characteristics. Furthermore, CTPF’s thermal stability above the polymerization process temperature was verified using differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). As a result, CTPF’s properties make it a good candidate for use as a bio-reinforcement in polymer composites for lightweight and structural applications.

摘要

本研究的目的是观察椰子树梗纤维 (CTPF) 是否可以用作潜在的聚合物复合增强材料. 纤维素含量 (50.11 wt%) 为CTPF提供了强大的单纤维拉伸强度 (137 MPa), 表面形态显示出多孔表面, 从而促进与基体的更好结合. CPTF的较高结晶尺寸和半结晶性质突出了其低密度 (1.360 g/cm3) 和吸水性能. 木质素 (24.9 wt%), 结合低蜡含量 (0.3 wt%), 以及扫描电子显微照片发现的多孔表面和微纤维的存在, 使得基质和纤维之间的结合更强. 由于傅里叶变换红外分析检测到化学基团的存在, 低密度 (1.360 g/cm3), 半结晶性质 (52%) 和较大的晶粒尺寸 (6.5 nm) 保证了最小的吸水特性. 此外, 通过差示扫描量热法 (DSC) 和热重分析 (TGA) 验证了CTPF在聚合过程温度以上的热稳定性. 因此, CTPF的特性使其成为聚合物复合材料中用于轻质和结构应用的生物增强材料的良好候选.

KEYWORDS:

• Cocos nucifera peduncle
• natural cellulosic fiber
• bio-composites
• characterization
• polymer matrix composites
• sustainability

关键词:

• 椰子梗
• 天然纤维素纤维
• 生物复合材料
• 刻画
• 聚合物基复合材料
• 持续性

Disclosure statement

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