Characterization of microfiber isolated from Hibiscus sabdariffa var. altissima fiber by steam explosion

Abstract

In this work, the analytical and experimental study on isolation of microfibers from Hibiscus sabdariffa var. altissima fiber using the steam explosion technique is discussed. Structural and thermal analysis of fiber is done by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscope image confirmed that the diameter of the fiber is reduced to approximately 5 µm and defibrillation of the fiber after bleaching process is also observed. XRD analysis of H. sabdariffa fiber at raw and acid hydrolyses stage demonstrated that the crystallinity index is increased from 77.8% to 86.7%. FT-IR results indicated the devaluation of lignin and hemicellulose after the chemical treatment and enhancement of thermal stability can also be seen by TGA results.

Keywords

• cellulose
• steam explosion
• composites
• hibiscus sabdariffa fiber
• crystallinity
• microfibers