Investigation of the Physicochemical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of a Single Fiber Extracted From <i>Imperata Cylindrica</i> Plant

Abstract

This study investigated the physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of Imperata cylindrica (IC) fibers extracted using 2 wt%, 4 wt%, and 6 wt% NaOH. Since 6 wt% NaOH yielded complete removal, fibers obtained from this concentration were furthermore treated with 1% concentration of silane before characterization. Morphological properties were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) while cross sections were obtained using a projection microscopy, density values using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) technique and chemical composition using energy dispersive x‐ray (EDX) analysis. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) enabled to obtain chemical functional groups. Thermal characterization was made using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and wetting envelop from surface energy test. The mechanical properties of the fibers were assessed using tensile tests. Results show that chemical retting efficiently extracted IC fibers, especially at 6‐wt% NaOH. SEM observation revealed an elliptical shape in cross section of the fibers, with area decreasing when NaOH concentration increases; silane treatment rendered smooth and compact surfaces. Density determination yielded an optimum density value of 2.211 g/cm 3 for IC fibers obtained with 6wt% NaOH and treated with silane. Thermal properties indicated that silane treatment enhanced thermal stability of the fibers. Also, the surface free energy of IC fibers showed that silane treatment contributed in decreasing their hydrophilic properties. The plotting of wetting envelop helped to understand why it is difficult to obtain IC fibers using water retting. Fibers from 6 wt% NaOH yielded highest value of Young’s modulus. With regards to these properties, IC fibers may, therefore, be a potential reinforcement in composite manufacturing.