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The demand for composites made with natural fibers instead of synthetic counterparts is increasing day-by-day, as a part of strategic measure to reduce environmental pollution. In this study, novel fibers were extracted from the stem of the Cryptostegia grandiflora (CG) plant and their surface morphology, physical and mechanical properties were comprehensively investigated, using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The Cryptostegia grandiflora fibers (CGFs) were studied before and after alkaline and silane treatments. The reduction of hemicellulose, lignin and pectin after the chemical treatment was evidenced through XRD, FTIR and SEM analysis. The results obtained after XRD analysis established that the surface treatments improved the crystallinity index (CrI) of the CGFs. The silane treated CGFs, exhibited maximum tensile strength, better thermal stability and surface roughness when compared with untreated and alkali treated counterparts. The properties obtained after the chemical treatment of the CGFs suggested their potential suitability for a reinforcement of biocomposite structures.

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