Characterization of cellulosic plant fiber extracted from Waltheria indica Linn. stem

Biomass-based fiber-reinforced polymer composites have emerged as a pioneering alternative for polymer matrix composites due to their low strength-to-weight ratio and as most synthetic fibers are non-biodegradable and hazardous. The paper aims to investigate the physiochemical, thermal stability, and surface properties of Waltheria indica Linnaeus stem fiber (WiLSF) to explore its suitability as a reinforcing agent in polymer composites as an alternative to synthetic fiber. In our study, the chemical analysis of WiLSF-determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-reveals a higher constituent of cellulose (60.54%) and the least wax content (0.42%), which gives WiLSF excellent bonding and structural properties. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the semi-crystalline nature of the fiber with a crystallinity index (46.59%) and crystalline size (0.50 nm). Moreover, the density of WiLSF is 1265 kg/m(3), which is comparatively much less than most synthetic fiber. In addition, WiLSF has high thermal stability (245.9 degrees C) and activation energy (116.94 kJ/mol). The study confirms WiLSF is an ideal biomass-based alternative for synthetic fibers and could be widely used in the fiber industry in making biofiber-incorporated composites and various other applications.

Automated summary

The study investigates the physiochemical, thermal stability, and surface properties of Waltheria indica Linnaeus stem fiber (WiLSF) as a potential reinforcing agent for polymer composites. The results show that WiLSF has high cellulose content and low wax content, excellent bonding and structural properties, low density, and high thermal stability. WiLSF is therefore considered an ideal biomass-based alternative to synthetic fibers.