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Novel Ficus retusa L. aerial root fiber: a sustainable alternative for synthetic fibres in polymer composites reinforcement

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Abstract

Awareness about the global sustainability among consumers had turned industries in producing eco-friendly, lightweight, and affordable materials. In line up, natural fibre–reinforced composites (NFRC) have experienced tremendous expansion in recent years. The researchers were working in finding a novel natural fibre with an enhanced properties which compete the synthetic fibers in its application. This investigation focused to characterize the novel aerial root of Ficus retusa L. (FRL) fiber, including analyses of their physical properties, chemical composition, thermal stability, crystalline properties, surface properties, mechanical properties, and morphology. Physical study has shown the FRL’s aerial root fiber dimensions to be 495 µm in diameter and 1376 kg/m3 in density. Its higher cellulose percentage (64.12%) and small wax percentage (0.33%) gave superior specific strength and improved bonding characteristics. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy examination and FTIR was also conducted out to support the chemical groups existing in this fibre. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) examination of FRL’s aerial root fiber shows a higher crystallinity index (CI) value 55.96% and lower crystallite size (CS) of 4.13 nm. The average strain to failure of the raw fiber was 7.5–11.4%, the Young’s modulus was 3.33–5.81 GPa, and the tensile strength was 331.22–465.45 MPa for the fiber gauge length 10 to 50 mm. The angle value of the microfibrils in the aerial root fiber of FRL is 7.2°. TG and DTG thermal study confirmed the fiber’s maximum degradation temperature (527 °C) and thermal stability (342 °C). Surface roughness measurements made with a SEM and an AFM both pointed to the least amount of roughness in FRL’s aerial root fiber. The foregoing results established that novel FRL’s aerial root fiber was an excellent reinforcement for making fibre reinforced composites.

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Acknowledgements

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Saudi Arabia, for supporting and funding this research work through Grand No. IMSIU-RG23050.

Funding

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Saudi Arabia, for supporting and funding this research work through Grand No. IMSIU-RG23050.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, 11432, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Murugesan Palaniappan, Nashmi H. Alrasheedi, Sabbah Ataya & Abdullah A. Elfar

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, P T R College of Engineering & Technology, Thanapandiyan Nagar, Austinpatti, Madurai-Tirumangalam Road, Madurai, 625008, Tamilnadu, India

    Sivasubramanian Palanisamy

  3. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada

    Thulasi Mani Murugesan

  4. Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, 11432, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Srinivas Tadepalli

  5. Faculty of Engineering, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt

    Abdullah A. Elfar

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  1. Murugesan Palaniappan
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  2. Sivasubramanian Palanisamy
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  3. Thulasi Mani Murugesan
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  4. Nashmi H. Alrasheedi
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  5. Sabbah Ataya
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  6. Srinivas Tadepalli
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  7. Abdullah A. Elfar
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Contributions

Murugesan Palaniappan and Srinivas Tadepalli: conducted all the experimental works and written original manuscript. All other authors: supported for data analysis and review the final draft.

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Correspondence to Murugesan Palaniappan.

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Highlights

• Ficus retusa L. aerial root fiber is characterized for the very first time in this article.

• Suitability characterization for polymer composites was done.

• Higher availability and has the potential for usage in textile and green composite.

• A statistical tool (Weibull distribution plot) has been used to analyse fiber properties.

• Morphological studies showed the viability of using as a futuristic reinforcing material.

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Palaniappan, M., Palanisamy, S., Murugesan, T.M. et al. Novel Ficus retusa L. aerial root fiber: a sustainable alternative for synthetic fibres in polymer composites reinforcement. Biomass Conv. Bioref. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-024-05495-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-024-05495-4

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