Extraction and characterization of Oplismenus hirtellus grass fiber for possible bio-reinforcement material in polymer composites

Utilizing readily available earth’s assets and agro-waste has grown crucial for the sustainability of business entities. In the current study, Oplismenus hirtellus grass stem fiber (OHSFs) mined from the commonly grown grass Oplismenus hirtellus that retains as herbal waste after their life expectancy. To ensure OHSF’s capabilities and feasibility in boosting the ecological footprint of the automotive industry, resemblance among OHSF and other regularly utilized organic fibers were listed and discussed. The chemical investigations expose the sufficiency of cellulose (60.25 wt%) in OHSF with least wax (0.27 wt%) contributing to its mechanical and interfacial characteristics. The observed chemical features were further endorsed by the Fourier transform infrared spectrum and crystallinity index (49%) of OHSF. The minimum density (1.01 g/cm³) and tensile strength (112–181 MPa) of OHSF experimented through mass-volume method and single fiber tensile test respectively exposes its specific mechanical characteristics. The surface features (Arithmetic mean height, R_a = 21.8 nm) and thermal stability (226 °C) of OHSF ensure the sufficiency of interfacial characteristics and ability to survive fabrication heat respectively to be castoff as stiffening material in polymer composites.