A novel study of biological and structural analysis on Cissus quadrangularis fiber-reinforced CaO particulates epoxy composite for biomedical application

Abstract

Natural fibers derived from renewable, environmentally sustainable sources are being considered for use as reinforcements in polymer composites. The current study focuses on the fabrication of composite materials using fiber extracted from the Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) natural plant as reinforcement, an epoxy polymer as a matrix, and calcium oxide (CaO) nanoparticles as filler material, with the weight ratio of Cissus quadrangularis fiber (CQF) and CaO filler materials are varied to quantify the biological and structural effects of CQF composite. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results demonstrate a 58% amorphous zone in this composite, while Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) examination revealed the hydrophobic nature, chemical bonding, and cellulose content. Because of the increased amount of chopped CQF loading in this composite, the mechanical qualities result in an average of 23% better tensile strength. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis was used to analyze the failure analysis for fiber interaction with matrix, filler, and fiber pullouts under mechanical stress. The antibacterial research revealed that this CQF composite exhibits bacterial inhibitory activity suitable for biomedical applications.

Keywords

• Sustainable development
• Waste to product
• Polymer composite
• Antibacterial activity
• Structural analysis
• Morphological behaviour