Physical properties, morphology and crystallinity of Typha leaf fibers processed by different extraction treatments

Abstract

The effect of different extraction processes on the properties of Typha leaf fibers was investigated. In this work, manual decortications (FNT), NaOH alkali treatment (FT), sea water retting (FM) and a combined treatment (FC) including NaOH plus enzyme Pectinex Ultra SPL were compared. After the extraction process, morphological structure was examinated, physical and mechanical properties were also discussed. Scanning electron microscopy results revealed that extraction of Typha leaf fibers by NaOH plus enzyme led to removal of surface impurities and non-cellulosic materials. According to X-ray diffraction results, crystallinity index of (FC) was improved after enzymatic process by 57% compared to manual decorticated fibers. Tenacity of Typha fibers improved after different extraction methods when compared to manual decortications. Especially sea water retting process (FM) showed an increase of 82% higher tensile strength. Moreover, attenuated infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed that chemical retting, sea water process and combined treatment caused change of chemical composition by disappearing and/or attenuation of some bands which belong to hemicelluloses and lignin compounds. Also, chemical constituents’ analysis presents lignin fraction and alpha cellulose equal to 8.13% and 69.8% respectively for (FC).

Keywords:

• Typha leaf fiber
• extraction method
• crystallinity
• physico-chemical and morphological properties
• mechanical properties

Disclosure statement

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