Characterization of Lignocellulosic Biomass from Malaysian’s Yankee Pineapple AC6 Toward Composite Application

ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper is to study the properties of the newly Malaysian pineapple variety, namely, Yankee pineapple’s leaf fibers (PALF) biofillers in composite applications. The fibers were extracted from the leaves, which were currently being thrown away or burned down. Comprehensive characterization of Yankee’s PALF was carried out to determine its chemical composition, surface morphology, and mechanical, crystallinity, and thermal properties. The results showed that the fiber had a high thermal degradation of 340°C (34% yield). On top of that, the fiber surface elemental composition captures carbon (53.56%) which had the highest atomic percentage followed by oxygen (42.93%) and potassium (3.51%). In addition, the fiber had a rough external surface observed through atomic force microscope analysis, resulting in good compatibility with the matrix polymer. The crystal index of fiber and its size give 55.22% and 2.17-nm values, respectively. Furthermore, 40 mm gauge length of single fiber had the highest tensile strength, which is 420.3 MPa compared to other values of the gauge length.

摘要

本文旨在研究马来西亚菠萝新品种——洋基菠萝叶纤维（PALF）生物填料在复合材料应用中的特性. 纤维是从叶子中提取的，这些叶子目前被扔掉或烧毁. 对扬基的PALF进行了全面表征，以确定其化学成分、表面形态、机械性、结晶性和热特性. 结果表明，该纤维的热降解率高340°C（屈服率34%）. 最重要的是，纤维表面元素成分捕获碳（53.56%）原子百分比最高，其次是氧气（42.93%）和钾（3.51%）. 此外，通过原子力显微镜分析观察到纤维表面粗糙，与基质聚合物具有良好的相容性. 计算的纤维晶体指数及其大小分别给出55.22%和2.17nm值. 此外，单纤维40mm测量仪长度具有最高的拉伸强度，与其他仪表长度值相比，为420.3MPa.

KEYWORDS:

• Pineapple Leaf Fiber
• Chemical composition
• Surface morphology
• crystal index

关键词:

• 菠萝叶纤维
• 化学成分
• 表面形态学
• 晶体指数

Acknowledgments

This work is supported by UPM under HICoE grant, 6369107. The authors would like to express their gratitude and sincere appreciation to the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Laboratory of Biocomposite Technology, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia (HICoE) for the close collaboration in this research.