Extraction and Characterisation of Natural Fibres from Imperata cylindrica: Morphological, Microstructural, Thermal, and Kinetic Properties

ABSTRACT

In this study, natural fibers were extracted from Imperata cylindrica (ICY) by mechanical fractionation followed by characterization. The morphological, microstructural, and thermal properties of ICY fibers were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Kinetic analysis was examined through Flynn Wall Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger Akahira Sunose (KAS) models. Results showed that mechanical fractionation successfully extracted natural fibers from ICY. SEM analyses revealed a compact surface structure interrupted by contours and protrusions due to disoriented fractionation of the fibers. Thermal analysis revealed significant mass loss (72.94–77.03%), whereas the TG/DTG plots shifted correspondingly due to multiple heating rates (10–30°C/min) and thermal lag during TGA from 30 to 800°C. Likewise, the onset, midpoint, offset, drying, and devolatilization peak temperatures increased at higher heating rates. T_ons increased from 257.99–269.25°C, whereas T_mid was 313.57–319.17°C, T_off was 363.70–376.58°C. The OFW and KAS kinetic models revealed activation energy (E_a) and frequency factor (k_o) ranged from 38.09 to 514.33 kJ mol⁻¹ and 1.65 × 10⁰² to 1.24 × 10⁴⁸ min⁻¹, respectively, for conversions α = 0.05 to 0.95, which indicate ICY fibers are thermally stable and suitable for utilization as bio-composite reinforcement.

摘要

摘要 在这项研究中, 天然纤维是通过机械分离和表征从Imperata cylindrica(ICY)中提取的.通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM);能量色散X射线和热重分析(TGA)研究了冰纤维的形态;微观结构和热性能. 动力学分析通过Flynn Wall Ozawa(FWO)和Kissinger Akahira-Sunose(KAS)模型进行检验. 结果表明, 机械分馏法成功地从冰中提取了天然纤维. SEM分析显示, 由于纤维的无定向分馏, 紧密的表面结构被轮廓和突起打断. 热分析显示出显著的质量损失(72.94–77.03%), 而TG/DTG曲线则因多个加热速率(10–30°C/min)和TGA过程中的热滞后(从30°C到800°C)而相应移动. 同样, 在较高的加热速率下, 起始中点偏移干燥和脱挥峰值温度增加. 吨从257.99-269.25°C增加, 而Tmid为313.57-319.17°C, Toff为363.70-376.58°C. OFW和KAS动力学模型显示, 在α = 0.05至0.95的转化率下, 活化能(Ea)和频率因子(ko)分别为38.09至514.33 kJ mol-1和1.65 × 1002至1.24 × 1048 min-1, 这表明冰纤维具有热稳定性, 适合用作生物复合材料增强材料.

KEYWORDS:

• Natural fibers
• Imperata cylindrica
• grass fibers
• thermal analysis
• kinetics

关键词:

• 天然纤维
• 草纤维
• 热分析
• 动力学

Acknowledgments

The technical and material support of the Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Laboratory, Centre of Hydrogen Energy, and Institute of Future Energy all located at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) are gratefully acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

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