Extraction,modification, and characterization of natural ligno-cellulosic fiber strands from napier grass |
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| Authors: | V P Kommula Mukul Shukla Tshilidzi Marwala E V Subba Reddy A Varada Rajulu |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa;2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana;3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, India;4. Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa;5. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kottam Karunakara Reddy Institution of Technology, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India;6. Department of Physics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
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| Abstract: | Napier grass is a high-productivity perennial grass that is a very important forage for animals in the tropics. In this research work, fiber strands from Napier grass were extracted and the effect of acetic acid treatment on their chemical composition, morphological and structural changes, and tensile and thermal properties was studied. The acid treatment was carried out using glacial acetic acid solution at three different concentrations (5, 10, and 15%) for 2 h. Chemical analysis indicated lowering of amorphous hemicellulose content on acid treatment. FT-IR spectroscopic studies revealed variation of functional groups on acid treatment. Scanning electron micrographs indicated roughening of the surface of the fiber strands due to the removal of the hemicellulose layer on acid treatment. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated an increase in crystallinity of the fiber strands on acid treatment. The thermal stability and tensile properties of the fiber strands increased on acid treatment. This fiber has competitive advantages when evaluated with other natural fibers and can be developed further as a potential reinforcement in polymer matrix composites. |
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| Keywords: | Chemical modification natural fiber structural properties tensile properties thermal analysis |
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