Lemongrass Plant as Potential Sources of Reinforcement for Biocomposites: A Preliminary Experimental Comparison Between Leaf and Culm Fibers

Abstract

Nowadays, the world requires more sustainable and eco-friendly materials to replace or limit the usage of synthetic materials. Moreover, several researchers focused their attention on the use of agricultural sources as reinforcement for biocomposites since they are abundant, cost-effective and environmentally favorable sources. In such a context, purpose of the present paper is the evaluation of lemongrass plant (Cymbopogon flexuosus) as possible source of natural reinforcement for biocomposites. To this aim, natural fibers were obtained from the leaf and the stem of lemongrass and their main properties were compared for the first time. To this scope, mechanical and thermal characterizations, chemical investigation, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope analysis were carried out. The experimental campaign showed that, despite having similar chemical composition (i.e., cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents equal to 44–45%, 28–29% and 17%, respectively), leaf fibers possess higher mechanical properties (i.e., + 55% and + 76% in the tensile strength and modulus, respectively) than stem ones. This result can be ascribed to different factors such as larger amount of absorbed water (i.e., + 4%) and ash content (+ 2%) shown by stem fibers in addition to a more compact structure evidenced by leaf fibers which also present higher density (i.e., 1.139 g/cm3 versus 1.019 g/cm3).

Fabrication and characterization of ADC-12 hybrid composites utilizing lemon grass ash and boron nitride through stir-squeeze casting method

“…Silica, a vital component in LG, is known for its strengthening properties. Leveraging LG's natural silica content can enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting composite [17], making it an effective reinforcement choice. Consequently, Silica shall be acquired from these plants as a surrogate for the commercial Silica currently in the industry.…”

Phyto-Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Using Various Plant Extracts

“…Ag-NPs also decrease the length of shoots and roots of wheat in a dose-dependent manner [ 54 ]. Other research involving numerous plant species, including Arabidopsis, found similar findings regarding Ag-NP toxicity on seed germination, biomass accumulation, and root and shoot growth [ 55 ], Brassica nigra [ 56 ], Lemna [ 57 ], Phaseolus radiatus, Sorghum bicolor [ 27 ], Lolium multiflorum [ 58 ], rice [ 59 ], wheat [ 60 ], and Lupinus termis L [ 61 ]. Due to their exceptional antibacterial qualities, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are widely used in a variety of industries.…”

“…Due to its antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory characteristics, this plant is widely used in pharmaceutical processes, as well as in agriculture and therapeutic uses. Lemongrass can also be used as a starting ingredient in the manufacture of biogas and silica [ 27 ].…”

Production of Roof Board Insulation Using Agricultural Wastes Towards Sustainable Building Material

“…Utilising agricultural waste as reinforcements in such matrices will cause poor interfacial adhesion between polar-hydrophilic fibre and the nonpolarhydrophobic matrix [53] and high moisture absorption between fibres and matrix in composites [97] which can be seen in all the samples tested obtained in this study have a close value between samples in the swelling thickness test. Thus, in order for the oil palm fibre (EFB+MF) to be potential for replacement of synthetic polymeric composites, the oil palm fibre needs to be pretreated before being applied as a reinforcing material in composite panels production [53,55,97,[145][146][147]. As mentioned by Fiore et al, [148] that the pretreatment will alter the oil palm fibre physically or chemically to reinforce the poor characteristics of the fibre through the removal of contaminations, altering the chemistry and crystallinity formation, refining the interface of fibre and matrix, achieving good bonding between fibre and matrix.…”