article · Scientific Reports
This research evaluates the effects of adding microcrystalline cellulose derived from Borassus flabellifer flower waste into banana fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites. Spectroscopic analysis revealed that incorporating the flower-derived microcrystalline cellulose decreased the amorphous proportion of the hybrid composites. Thermal testing demonstrated that adding one percent of the biofiller raised the peak temperature of maximum thermal degradation to 389.6 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, mechanical assessments showed that integrating three percent of the filler reinforced the material, increasing tensile strength from 31.36 to 39.83 megapascals and flexural strength from 71.05 to 82.4 megapascals. The study characterises how these natural cellulose fillers improve the performance of plant-based polymer composites for prospective lightweight engineering uses.
Replacing synthetic fibers with renewable plant materials helps reduce reliance on non-biodegradable components. By converting agricultural flower waste into functional microcrystalline cellulose fillers, standard natural composites gain better mechanical resilience and thermal stability. This offers an accessible, lower-density alternative for manufacturing lightweight parts while mitigating environmental and health risks linked to synthetic options.
The material shows potential for manufacturers producing automotive components, construction supplies, and 3D printing feedstocks seeking lightweight, biodegradable alternatives to synthetic composites. The research is currently early-stage laboratory work, focusing on material synthesis, structural characterisation, and mechanical testing, meaning further development and industrial scale-up are required before real-world adoption.
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The development of eco-friendly materials is a challenging one in the research field. Natural fibers are more accessible, biodegradable, inexpensive, and less dense. They offer fewer health risks and are eco-friendly compared to synthetic fibers. Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites are new, eco-friendly materials with excellent mechanical and practical applications. Adding biofillers to composites improves strength and will replace synthetic materials. Utilizing cellulose as a filler for a natural starch matrix is an effective way to reduce the environmental impact of non-biodegradable materials. This study covers the influence of natural Borassus flabellifer flower microcrystalline cellulose (BFF MCC) fillers on banana fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic peaks at 2357, 1730, and 1245 cm<sup>-1</sup> were absent. This indicates that the amorphous proportion of banana fiber mat/BFF MCC-reinforced hybrid composites decreased. At 1% BFF MCC, thermogravimetric examination revealed an increase in the peak temperature of maximum degradation (389.6 °C). The hybrid banana composite's tensile strength (31.36 ± 4.39 to 39.83 ± 3.07 MPa) and flexural strength (71.05 ± 2.66 to 82.4 ± 1.66 MPa) were also improved after adding 3% BFF MCC as filler material. The primary objective is to evaluate the suitability of fiber-reinforced hybrid polymers with natural fillers for future engineering applications such as automotive parts, construction materials, 3D printing, etc. In addition, this study investigated how the reinforcement of microcrystalline cellulose can result in a material with enhanced performance as well as its mechanical characteristics (XRD, FTIR, TGA, and SEM characterization).
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DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-78410-6
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