Extraction and Characterization of Novel Natural Cellulosic Fibers from Pigeon Pea Plant

Abstract

This study is mainly focused on the extraction and characterization of the lingo-cellulosic fibers from the Pigeon Pea plant. The chemical components of the fibers such as cellulose content (55.03%), lignin (18.32%), wax content (2.38%), moisture content (8.13%), and density (1.7389 g cc−1) were identified. Functional groups present in the fibers were obtained by infrared spectroscopy. By using X-ray diffraction analysis, Crystallinity Index is found to be 68% and thermogravimetric analysis showed that thermal degradation of the fiber begins at 225°C.The results suggest that the Pigeon pea fibers can be used as reinforcement in polymer-matrix composites.

Keywords

• natural fiber
• chemical composition
• x-ray diffraction
• infrared spectroscopy
• thermogravimetry
• tensile strength