Elsevier

Carbohydrate Polymers

Volume 92, Issue 2, 15 February 2013, Pages 1928-1933
Carbohydrate Polymers

Characterization of a novel natural cellulosic fiber from Prosopis juliflora bark

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.11.064Get rights and content

Abstract

Natural fibers from plants are ideal choice for producing polymer composites. Bark fibers of Prosopis juliflora (PJ), an evergreen plant have not been utilized for making polymer composites yet. Hence, a study was undertaken to evaluate their suitability as a novel reinforcement for composite structures. PJ fiber (PJF) was analyzed extensively to understand its chemical and physical properties. The PJF belonged to gelatinous or mucilaginous type. Its lignin content (17.11%) and density (580 kg/m3) were relatively higher and lower, respectively in comparison to bark fibers of other plants. The free chemical groups on it were studied by FTIR and XRD. It had a tensile strength of 558 ± 13.4 MPa with an average strain rate of 1.77 ± 0.04% and microfibril angle of 10.64° ± 0.45°. Thermal analyses (TG and DTG) showed that it started degrading at a temperature of 217 °C with kinetic activation energy of 76.72 kJ/mol.

Highlights

Cellulose content of Prosopis juliflora fiber (PJF) was found to be 61.65%. ► Density (580 kg/m3) of PJF was found to be relatively much lower. ► Anatomy of bark and fiber of Prosopis juliflora was studied for the first time. ► Tensile strength of PJF was determined. ► Thermal stability of PJF was found to be comparable with other bark fibers.

Introduction

Nowadays much importance is being given to the development of recyclable and environmentally sustainable composite materials than ever before due to increasing environmental awareness worldwide (Cheung, Ho, Lau, Cardona, & Hui, 2009). Plant fiber reinforced polymer composites have attracted increased research interests owing to their potential to serve as alternative for artificial fiber composites that are associated with ecological hazards (Bledzki et al., 2002, Mishra et al., 2004). Natural fibers derived from bark of various plants such as jute, artichoke, okra, hemp, Grewia tilifolia, kenaf, ramie and flax have fascinated the scientists and technologists because of their specific properties and availability. However, bark fiber derived from the PJ plant which may presumably has all or most of the qualities of the bark fibers known till date has not been studied yet despite its presence globally. PJ belongs to the family Leguminosae, genus Prosopis which included 44 species, grouped in 5 sections and 6 series (Burkart, 1976). Prosopis species have been widely introduced in several countries around the world over the past 150 years for fuel wood, fodder and their ability to grow in the poorest soils and survive in areas where no other plants can survive (Pasiecznik et al., 2001). It is highly recognized for windbreaks, soil binders and sand stabilizers, moreover provide food and shelter to animals that feed on its nectar, pollen, leaves and fruits (Golubov, Mandujano, & Eguiarte, 2001), tolerant to very high temperatures (e.g. 48 °C), annual rainfall range of 150–750 mm (Darke, 1993, Geilfus, 1994) and heavy metals (Sinha, Rai, Bhatt, Pandey, & Gupta, 2005). Its stem is green-brown, sinuous and twisted, up to 6–9 m in height and 45 cm in diameter; bark somewhat rough and dull-red (Valdivia, 1972).

Generally, all natural fibers have several attractive features that include low cost, light weight, moderate strength, high specific modulus, renewability, biodegradability, freedom from health hazards and amenability to chemical modification (Manikandan, Velmurugan, Ponnambalam, & Thomas, 2004). These superior properties of fibers are gaining more attention as reinforcement in various technical applications which include the food packaging, automotive components, furniture as well as sports (Anuar & Zuraida, 2011). This study aims to understand the bark anatomy, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties of the PJFs in comparison to other natural bark fibers known. To the best of our knowledge, the bark fibers of PJ as novel reinforcements have been studied for the first time. From the experimental data, it is clear that the PJFs can act as a better reinforcement for the polymer matrices and add significant value to the research fraternity.

Section snippets

Extraction of bark fiber from Prosopis juliflora plant

The PJ plant has a twisted stem and flexible branches with long and strong thorns (Azevedo, 1955). The roots penetrate to great depths in the soil and can grow in wide range of soils, such as saline, alkaline, sandy and rocky soils (George, Venkataraman, & Parrida, 2007). It occurs worldwide in arid and semiarid regions (Burkart, 1976). The stems (approximately 25 mm diameter) of PJ plant were collected from Aruppukottai, Tamil Nadu, South India. Bark of this plant acted as the source of natural

Anatomy of Prosopis juliflora bark and fiber

Examination of the PJ bark and fiber under a polarized microscope revealed the existence of several thin dark tangential layers of collapsed phloem alternating with several successive cylinders of phloem fibers as shown in Fig. 1. PJFs were cleaved into thick blocks by wavy dilated phloem rays. There were about 15 successive cylinders of fibers in the bark. The fiber blocks were smaller and less prominent in the outer zone and they became gradually wider and thicker in the inner zone. The outer

Conclusions

This study emphasizes the importance of natural bark fiber that can be used as reinforcement in the preparation of polymer composite and adds value to the existing knowledge on natural bark fibers. The PJF consisted of phloem fibers that belonged to gelatinous or mucilaginous type as evidenced from the testing for bark anatomy. It also consisted of a highly lignified outer primary wall and a secondary wall that consisted of mucilaginous substance and a cell lumen. Higher lignin content of the

Acknowledgement

The authors thank the management of Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology, Virudhunagar 626 001, Tamil Nadu, India for providing necessary facilities to carry out this research work.

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