Extraction and Characterization of Cellulosic Fiber from Banana, Sugarcane, and Napier Grass

Abstract

Cellulosic fibers are one of the trend studies being conducted from the recent research due to their cost-effectiveness and abundance as biomass waste products from different plantations. The study aims to fabricate a dew extractor machine and analyze and characterize fibers based on their physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. The machine achieved the required torque, which is 370.645 N.m, and a speed of 28.82 rpm for the initial process for the sources of fiber by using a chain drive. Among the three fibers, the banana shows greater tensile strength with 221.225 MPa - 418.59 7MPa for untreated and 191.376 MPa – 715.428 MPa for treated. Napier has the smallest value of tensile strength with 77.944 MPa – 146.731 MPa for untreated and 76.048 MPa – 287.689 MPa for treated. The chemical properties of the fibers were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy shows all three fibers have a similar single-, triple- and double-bond, namely a secondary aliphatic alcohol, alkene, and a non-conjugated alkene functional group. It can be concluded that treated fibers can withstand more stress, stretch even more, and therefore are more elastic than untreated fibers.