Characterization of novel natural cellulosic fibers from Abutilon Indicum for potential reinforcement in polymer composites

Abstract

The prime objective of this research study was the investigation the new natural cellulosic fiber extracted from the stem of Abutilon Indicum plants as an alternative reinforcement in greener composite materials for structural applications. Abutilon Indicum a flowering plant with unique medicinal values are abundantly found in India and other south Asian countries. The fibers extracted from the stem of the Abutilon Indicum plant are proven to be sustainable, ecofriendly, and novel and hence this fiber is chosen for characterization study. In this experimental investigation the physical, chemical, thermal, morphological, crystallinity, chemical constituents, and surface characteristics of raw Abutilon Indicum fibers (AIF) were analyzed. Chemical analysis results convey the presence of higher cellulose content of (56.12 wt.%) in AIF. The diameter (175 μm) and density (1.170 g/cm3) of AIFs are determined by physical analysis of the raw fibers. Such lower density values observed in AIF make it as a perfect material for lightweight applications. Crystalline properties of AIFs are determined from X‐ray diffraction tests with a crystalline index of 77.35%, and crystalline size of 2.20 nm, which attributes to the presence of cellulose‐1β and the crystallites are ordered in nature. Thermal stability of 175°C, maximum degradation temperature upto 302.6°C and kinetic activation energy of 86.95 kJ/mol of AIF are established based on thermo gravimetric analysis. Morphological and surface characteristics of AIF through a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) analysis revealed that the raw fibers display a relatively finer surface. Research findings of the AIF mentioned above conclude that the AIFs prove to be an ideal, alternative reinforcement in greener composite materials for sustainable and cleaner production of components in structural applications.

Extraction and Characterization of New Cellulosic Fiber from Catalpa bignonioides Fruits for Potential Use in Sustainable Products

“…The degradation rate of lignin at high temperatures is lower than that of cellulose and hemicellulose; therefore, its resistance to high temperatures is higher than that of cellulose and hemicellulose. The high lignin content of the CBF fiber is thought to provide good thermal stability [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”

Preparation, Characteristics, and Application of Biopolymer Materials Reinforced with Lignocellulosic Fibres

“…This section discusses the exploration of thermal stability in novel natural fibres based on various research conducted in recent times. Arun Ramnath et al [70] experimented the thermal analysis on Abutilon indicum fibres and reported that due to wettability of the raw fibre, its degradation is lower. However, for NaOH-treated A. indicum fibres, it shows the better thermal degradation at the range of 335-363 °C.…”

“…The findings suggest that alkali treatment removes waxy layers and other impurities on the surface of the fibres, resulting in better thermal stability. Similarly, Divya et al [73] explored the thermal stability of the novel Furcraea selloa and stated that this fibre is more thermally stable (up to 365.8 °C) than A. indicum [70], F. benjamina [71], and PVF [72] due to the presence of secondary metabolites in F. selloa; the fibre is more thermally stable.…”

“…The final stage, which occurred between 275 °C and 400 °C, was characterized by the breakdown of cellulose and lignin in APFs. The researchers concluded that the thermal stability of APFs was higher than other novel natural fibres, such as N. grass, Prosopis juliflora, Lygeum spartum, A. indicum [70], F. benjamina [71], PVF [72], F. selloa [73], and F. foetida. Furthermore, they found that alkali-treated fibres had significantly higher thermal stability than untreated fibres.…”

A review on epoxy granite reinforced polymer composites in machine tool structures – Static, dynamic and thermal characteristics

“…ArunRamnath in his research investigations reviewed and experimentally investigated the machining performance of various composite materials for determination of suitable optimization technique and ideal machining parameter combinations with regard to the selection of ideal machining parameters in end milling epoxy granite composites. [42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51] With a similar research methodology, the results of static, dynamic and thermal characteristics of research investigations of 70 different machine tool structures are identified and summarized and further the design methodologies employed are analyzed with the objective of enhanced performance and functionality of machine tool structures. This review work performed provides a clear ideology on machine tool structures and aids researchers, scientists and metallurgists in development of machine tool structures by epoxy granite composites and other polymer concrete reinforced composites with the objective of minimization of thermal errors without any trade-off among static and dynamic properties.…”