Characterization of raw and alkali-treated cellulosic fibers extracted from Borassus flabellifer L.

Natural fibers are biodegradable, lightweight, and low-cost in the creation of high performance engineered materials. The objective of this investigation is to comprehend the extraction procedure and characterization of natural cellulosic fibers extracted from Borassus flabellifer L. leaf. The obtained fibers were treated with sodium hydroxide solution to overcome the drawback of hydroxyl bonding. The essential properties of raw and treated fiber such as chemical composition, density, tensile strength, surface roughness, elements, functional group analysis, crystallinity index, crystallite size, maximum degradation temperature, and thermal stability were studied. The test result concluded that the alkali treatment improved the cellulose content while the hemicellulose, lignin, and wax content were reduced. This improved the tensile strength, density while the fiber weight decreased. The XRD analysis of raw and treated fiber confirmed the crystallinity index (50.34% from 46.58%) and crystallite size (2.72 nm from 2.36 nm) were improved after alkalization. The outcome of FTIR analysis confirmed the amorphous contents in borassus leaf fibers (BLF) were condensed due to the alkalization. The SEM analysis confirmed that the impurities and wax content of the outer surface of BLF were removed after alkali treatment. The result of TG analysis confirmed that the thermal stability temperature of alkali treated fiber had increased from 261 to 285 degrees C. The DTG analysis proved that the maximum fiber degradation temperature of alkali-treated BLF was increased from 316 to 365 degrees C. Thus, the surface modified fibers are appropriate materials for use as reinforcement in light weight high performance polymer composites.

Automated summary

This study aimed to comprehend the extraction process and characteristics of natural fibers extracted from Borassus flabellifer L. leaf. The fibers were treated with sodium hydroxide solution, which improved their cellulose content, tensile strength, and density, while reducing the content of hemicellulose, lignin, and wax. XRD and FTIR analysis confirmed that the alkali treatment improved the crystallinity and surface condition of the fibers.