ABSTRACT

The underlying principle of this current research was to characterize the cellulosic fibers that were retted from the roots of Acalypha indica L. plant to find their aptness for making green composites. Physical characterization tests were conducted and reported proving the reinforcing capability of these fibers which has a density of 1.356 g/cm³. Chemical composition tests conducted on these fibers showed the weight % of cellulose as 67.86. Amorphous constituents such as hemicellulose and lignin were present as 0.24 and 18.75 weight %, respectively. Wax, ash, and moisture were respectively present as 0.86, 2.13, and 10.16 weight % of fibers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies purported the presence of both amorphous and crystalline contents of cellulose confirming the peaks of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies. The fibers possessed a crystallinity index of 46.62% and their crystallite size was computed as 3.68 nm from XRD, with a good temperature bearing capacity of 225°C as ascertained from the thermo-gravimetric analysis. Conglomeration of fibrils and the roughness characteristics were evident from the scanning electron microscopic images and atomic force microscopic observations, respectively. Thus, it can be seen that this newly identified fiber are apposite reinforcements and can be explored further by infusing them in polymer matrices for making sustainable products.

摘要

目前这项研究的基本原理是表征从Acalypha indica L. 植物的根部提取的纤维素纤维，以发现它们对制造绿色复合材料的适应性。进行了物理特性测试并报告了这些纤维的增强能力，其密度为 1.356 g/cm ³. 对这些纤维进行的化学成分测试表明纤维素的重量百分比为 67.86。诸如半纤维素和木质素的无定形成分分别以 0.24 和 18.75 重量％存在。蜡、灰分和水分分别以 0.86、2.13 和 10.16 重量％的纤维存在。X 射线衍射 (XRD) 研究声称存在纤维素的无定形和结晶含量，证实了傅里叶变换红外光谱 (FTIR) 研究的峰值。该纤维的结晶度指数为 46.62%，其微晶尺寸由 XRD 计算为 3.68 nm，热重分析确定其具有 225°C 的良好温度承载能力。从扫描电子显微镜图像和原子力显微镜观察分别可以看出原纤维的聚集和粗糙度特征。因此，可以看出，这种新发现的纤维是恰当的增强材料，可以通过将它们注入聚合物基质中进一步探索，以制造可持续产品。