Physicochemical and Structural Investigation of Argeli (Edgeworthia gardneri) Bast Fibers

Prakash  Gautam; Lucas  Groβmann; Sharmila  Pradhan; Netra Lal  Bhandari; Michael  Nase; Rameshwar  Adhikari

doi:10.6000/1929-5995.2024.13.07

Authors

Prakash Gautam Institute of Circular Economy of Bio:polymers (ibp) at Hof University of Applied Sciences, Alfons-Goppel- Platz 1, 95028 Hof, Germany; Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618 Kathmandu, Nepal; School of Engineering, Pokhara University, 33700 Pokhara, Nepal; Nepal Polymer Institute (NPI), P. O. Box 24411, Kathmandu, Nepal and Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618 Kathmandu, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0275-7907
Lucas Groβmann Institute of Circular Economy of Bio:polymers (ibp) at Hof University of Applied Sciences, Alfons-Goppel- Platz 1, 95028 Hof, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2666-8706
Sharmila Pradhan Nepal Polymer Institute (NPI), P. O. Box 24411, Kathmandu, Nepal and Department of Chemistry, Amrit Campus, Tribhuvan University, Lainchour, Kathmandu, Nepal
Netra Lal Bhandari Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618 Kathmandu, Nepal and Nepal Polymer Institute (NPI), P. O. Box 24411, Kathmandu, Nepal
Michael Nase Institute of Circular Economy of Bio:polymers (ibp) at Hof University of Applied Sciences, Alfons-Goppel- Platz 1, 95028 Hof, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8017-4849
Rameshwar Adhikari Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618 Kathmandu, Nepal; Nepal Polymer Institute (NPI), P. O. Box 24411, Kathmandu, Nepal and Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618 Kathmandu, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7350-0204

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-5995.2024.13.07

Keywords:

Argeli fibers, Physicochemical properties, Structure, Thermal stability, Water absorption

Abstract

The structure and some physicochemical properties of Argeli (Edgeworthia gardneri) bast fibers were investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopies, Optical Microscopy (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The neat fibers were found to contain about 54.47% cellulose, 25.98% hemicellulose, 10.5 % lignin, 6.1% extractives, and about 2.9% ash. The fibers on chemical treatments changed several properties, some of them being quite significant. Fiber density was increased by 8.5% in the alkali-treated samples which may be due to the loss of less dense components such as lignin and hemicelluloses. The tensile strength of the fiber increased by 34 % and 61 %, respectively, after alkali and bleaching treatments. However, the thermal properties of treated samples did not change significantly. The mechanical properties of Argeli fiber were improved on chemical treatments making them attractive in the fabrication of polymer composites, textiles, and papers.

References

Karimah A, Ridho MR, Munawar SS, Ismadi, Amin Y, Damayanti R, Lubis MA, Wulandari AP, Nurindah, Iswanto AH, Fudholi A. A comprehensive review on natural fibers: technological and socio-economical aspects. Polymers 2021; 13(24): 4280. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13244280

Reddy KO, Guduri BR, Rajulu AV. Structural characterization and tensile properties of borassus fruit fibers. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2009; 114(1): 603-611. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.30584

Rowell RM. Natural fibres: types and properties. In Properties and performance of natural-fibre composites 2008; 3-66. Woodhead publishing. https://doi.org/10.1533/9781845694593.1.3

Mohammed L, Ansari MN, Pua G, Jawaid M, Islam MS. A review on natural fiber reinforced polymer composite and its applications. International Journal of Polymer Science 2015; 1: 243947. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/243947

Thyavihalli Girijappa YG, Mavinkere Rangappa S, Parameswaranpillai J, Siengchin S. Natural fibers as sustainable and renewable resource for development of eco-friendly composites: a comprehensive review. Frontiers in Materials 2019; 6: 226. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2019.00226

Madhu P, Sanjay MR, Senthamaraikannan P, Pradeep S, Saravanakumar SS, Yogesha B. A review on synthesis and characterization of commercially available natural fibers: Part-I. Journal of Natural Fibers 2018; 16(8): 1132-1144. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2018.1453433

Gholampour A, Ozbakkaloglu T. A review of natural fiber composites: Properties, modification and processing techniques, characterization, applications. Journal of Materials Science 2020; 55(3): 829-92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-03990-y

Jawaid MH, Khalil HA. Cellulosic/synthetic fibre reinforced polymer hybrid composites: A review. Carbohydrate Polymers 2011; 86(1): 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2011.04.043

Komuraiah A, Kumar NS, Prasad BD. Chemical composition of natural fibers and its influence on their mechanical properties. Mechanics of Composite Materials 2014; 50: 359-76. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11029-014-9422-2

Bledzki AK, Gassan J. Composites reinforced with cellulose-based fibres. Progress in Polymer Science 1999; 24(2): 221-274. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0079-6700(98)00018-5

Tanpichai S, Sampson WW, Eichhorn SJ. Stress-transfer in microfibrillated cellulose reinforced poly (lactic acid) composites using Raman spectroscopy. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 2012; 43(7): 1145-1152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2012.02.006

Kiruthika AV. A review on physico-mechanical properties of bast fibre reinforced polymer composites. Journal of Building Engineering 2017; 9: 91-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2016.12.003

Pejic BM, Kostic MM, Skundric PD, Praskalo JZ. The effects of hemicelluloses and lignin removal on water uptake behavior of hemp fibers. Bioresource Technology 2008; 99(15): 7152-7159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2007.12.073

Tuğluca MS, Özdoğru E, İlcan H, Özçelikci E, Ulugöl H, Şahmaran M. Characterization of chemically treated waste wood fiber and its potential application in cementitious composites. Cement and Concrete Composites 2023; 137: 104938. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2023.104938

Aliotta L, Gigante V, Coltelli MB, Cinelli P, Lazzeri A, Seggiani M. Thermo-mechanical properties of PLA/short flax fiber biocomposites. Applied Sciences 2019; 9(18): 3797. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9183797

Pereira PHF, Ornaghi Jr HL, Arantes V, Cioffi MOH. Effect of chemical treatment of pineapple crown fiber in the production, chemical composition, crystalline structure, thermal stability and thermal degradation kinetic properties of cellulosic materials. Carbohydrate Research 2021; 499: 108227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carres.2020.108227

Begum HA, Tanni TR, Shahid MA. Analysis of water absorption of different natural fibers. Journal of Textile Science and Technology 2021; 7(4): 152-160. https://doi.org/10.4236/jtst.2021.74013

Fook LT, Yatim JM. An experimental study on the effect of alkali treatment on properties of kenaf fiber for reinforced concrete elements. International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology 2015; 4(8): 37e40. https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2015.0408007

Page J, Khadraoui F, Boutouil M, Gomina M. Multi-physical properties of a structural concrete incorporating short flax fibers. Construction and Building Materials 2017; 140: 344-353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.02.124

Liu, K. Effects of sample size, dry ashing temperature and duration on determination of ash content in algae and other biomass. Algal Research 2019; 40: 101486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2019.101486

Di Blasi C, Signorelli G, Di Russo C, Rea G. Product distribution from pyrolysis of wood and agricultural residues. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research 1999; 38(6): 2216-2224. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie980711u

Ayeni AO, Adeeyo OA, Oresegun OM, Oladimeji TE. Compositional analysis of lignocellulosic materials: Evaluation of an economically viable method suitable for woody and non-woody biomass. American Journal of Engineering Research 2015: 4(4): 14-19.

Li S, Xu S, Liu S, Yang C, Lu Q. Fast pyrolysis of biomass in free-fall reactor for hydrogen-rich gas. Fuel Processing Technology 2004; 85(8-10): 1201-1211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2003.11.043

Carneiro J, da S, Nogueira RM, Martins MA, Valladão DM. de S, Pires EM. The oven-drying method for determination of water content in Brazil nut. Bioscience Journal 2018; 3: 595–602. https://doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v34n3a2018-37726

Aryal GM, Kandel KP, Bhattarai RK, Giri B, Adhikari M, Ware A, Han S, George G, Luo Z, Gautam BR, Neupane BB. Material properties of traditional handmade paper samples fabricated from cellulosic fiber of Lokta bushes. ACS Omega 2022; 7(36): 32717-32726. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c04398

Oktaee J, Lautenschläger T, Günther M, Neinhuis C, Wagenführ A, Lindner M, Winkler A. Characterization of willow bast fibers (Salix spp.) from short-rotation plantation as potential reinforcement for polymer composites. BioResources 2017; 12(2): 4270-4282. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.12.2.4270-4282

Goda K, Cao Y. Research and development of fully green composites reinforced with natural fibers. Journal of Solid Mechanics and Materials Engineering 2007; 1(9): 1073-1084. https://doi.org/10.1299/jmmp.1.1073

Martijanti M, Juwono AL, Sutarno S. Investigation of characteristics of bamboo fiber for composite structures. IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering; 2020, 850: 012028. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/850/1/012028

Andilolo J, Nikmatin S, Nugroho N, Alatas H, Wismogroho AS. Effect of kenaf short fiber loading on mechanical properties of biocomposites. InIOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 2017; 65(1): 012015. IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/65/1/012015

Jakob M, Mahendran AR, Gindl-Altmutter W, Bliem P, Konnerth J, Mueller U, Veigel S. The strength and stiffness of oriented wood and cellulose-fibre materials: A review. Progress in Materials Science 2022; 125: 100916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2021.100916

Petroudy SD. Physical and mechanical properties of natural fibers. InAdvanced high strength natural fibre composites in construction 2017; 59-83. Woodhead Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100411-1.00003-0

Somerville C. Cellulose synthesis in higher plants. Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology 2006; 22(1): 53-78. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.cellbio.22.022206.160206

Bekele K, Linders TE, Eschen R, Shiferaw H, Haji J, Legesse B, Choge S, Eckert S, Mbaabu PR, Schaffner U. How well do local stakeholders’ perceptions of environmental impacts of an invasive alien plant species relate to ecological data? Ecological Indicators 2022; 137: 108748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.108748

Sawpan MA, Pickering KL, Fernyhough A. Effect of various chemical treatments on the fibre structure and tensile properties of industrial hemp fibres. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 2011; 42(8): 888-895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2011.03.008

Hashim MY, Amin AM, Marwah OM, Othman MH, Yunus MR, Huat NC. The effect of alkali treatment under various conditions on physical properties of kenaf fiber. InJournal of Physics: Conference Series 2017; 914(1): 012030. IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/914/1/012030

Islam MS, Ahmad MB, Hasan M, Aziz SA, Jawaid M, Haafiz MM, Zakaria SA. Natural fiber-reinforced hybrid polymer nanocomposites: effect of fiber mixing and nanoclay on physical, mechanical, and biodegradable properties. BioResources 2015; 10(1): 1394-1407. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.10.1.1394-1407

Yang JM, Her YC, Han N, Clauer A. Laser shock peening on fatigue behavior of 2024-T3 Al alloy with fastener holes and stopholes. Materials Science and Engineerin A 2001; 298(1-2): 296-309. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-5093(00)01277-6

Scatolino MV, de Melo RR, de Oliveira Paula EA, Martins MA, Tonoli DHD, Esposito A, Mendes LM. Mechanical and surface properties of standard writing and printing papers coated with alternating layers of Amazonian Paricá nanofibrils and cassava starch. Journal of Materials Science 2024; 59: 11362-11380. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-024-09827-7

Husnil YA, Handayani AS, Setiaji DA, Chalid M. The effect of alkalization and bleaching treatment of Sorghum fibre on the crystallinity index of PP composite. InIOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 2019; 509(1): 012016. IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/509/1/012016

Singleton AC, Baillie CA, Beaumont PW, Peijs T. On the mechanical properties, deformation and fracture of a natural fibre/recycled polymer composite. Composites Part B: Engineering 2003; 34(6): 519-526. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1359-8368(03)00042-8

Mwaikambo L. Review of the history, properties and application of plant fibres. African Journal of Science and Technology 2006; 7(2): 121.

Hu Z, Ma Y, Chen H, Wei L, Zhu G, Liu L, Yao J. Efficient, durable, and breathable flame retardant cotton fabric via a feasible surface finishing. Applied Surface Science 2023; 615: 156314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.156314

Prithivirajan R, Balasundar P, Shyamkumar R, Al-Harbi NS, Kadaikunnan S, Ramkumar T, Narayanasamy P. Characterization of cellulosic fibers from Morus alba L. stem. Journal of Natural Fibers 2019; 16(4): 503-511. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2018.1426079

Md Salim R, Asik J, Sarjadi MS. Chemical functional groups of extractives, cellulose and lignin extracted from native Leucaena leucocephala bark. Wood Science and Technology 2021; 55: 295-313. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-020-01258-2

Chen H, Zhang W, Wang X, Wang H, Wu Y, Zhong T, Fei B. Effect of alkali treatment on wettability and thermal stability of individual bamboo fibers. Journal of Wood Science 2018; 64: 398-405. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10086-018-1713-0

Adeniyi AG, Onifade DV, Ighalo JO, Adeoye AS. A review of coir fiber reinforced polymer composites. Composites Part B: Engineering 2019; 176: 107305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.107305