Thermally stable cellulosic paper made using banana pseudostem sap, a wasted by-product

Fire resisting property was imparted to cellulosic paper by the application of a bio-enriched version of a banana pseudostem sap (BPS) as well as the only BPS, obtained as a byproduct during fibre extraction from the pseudostem. The papers were evaluated for their flame retardant property by measurement of limiting oxygen index and vertical flammability. They were also characterized by thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The bio-enriched BPS treated paper was found to exhibit a better flame retardancy with distinguished char length, compared to the control and the only BPS treated paper. The impartment of flame resisting property to a paper by the BPS, along with its charring behaviour has been discussed and the mechanism thereon has been postulated. The BPS application was found to enhance the oxygen required for the burning of the paper and reduce its burning rate by promoting more dehydration and char formation. The imparted fire retardant finish found durable to weathering, did not cause any significant loss in tear and tensile properties of the paper.