Characterization of New Natural Cellulosic Fiber from the Bark of <i>Dichrostachys Cinerea</i>

TLDR

The increasing environmental awareness has directed researchers toward natural fiber composites. The study aims to elucidate the physico‑chemical properties of fibers extracted from the bark of Dichrostachys Cinerea. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed cellulose degradation at 359.3 °C, while Fourier‑transform infrared spectroscopy identified the fibers’ chemical groups. The fibers contain 72.4 wt.% cellulose, 13.08 wt.% hemicellulose, 16.89 wt.% lignin, a density of 1240 kg/m³, a crystallinity index of 57.82 %, and a tensile strength of 873 ± 14 MPa, indicating strong potential as reinforcement in polymer matrices.

Abstract

The increasing environmental awareness has directed attention of the researchers towards the field of natural fiber composites. The aim of this investigation is to understand the physico-chemical properties of fibers extracted from the bark of the Dichrostachys Cinerea (DC) plant. Dichrostachys Cinerea fibers (DCFs) has cellulose (72.4 wt. %), hemicellulose (13.08 wt. %), lignin (16.89 wt. %), density (1240 kg/m3), crystallinity index (57.82%), and tensile strength (873 ± 14 MPa). Besides the cellulose degradation of DCFs at 359.3° vide by the thermo-gravimetric analysis and chemical groups are identified by Fourier transform analysis. Eventually the characterization results of DCFs strongly show the possibility of reinforcement in polymer matrices.