Characterization of Natural Cellulose Fibers from the Barks of Ziziphus nummularia as a Reinforcement for Lightweight Composite Applications

Abstract

This study deals with the extraction and testing of natural cellulose fibers obtained from the barks of Ziziphus nummularia (Burm. f.) Wight & Arn. plants. The extraction of Z. nummularia fibers from its plant barks was done by water retting. The extracted fibers were analyzed for their chemical, crystalline, thermal, mechanical, and physical properties. Surface characteristics of the fibers were examined using a scanning electron microscope and an atomic force microscope. The test results showed that cellulose content was 52.34%. The crystalline index was 45.77% whereas the crystallite size was 2.01 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a maximum degradation temperature of 348°C. The morphological properties showed that Z. nummularia fibers had a good surface roughness that helps in forming interlocks with the matrix on its usage in polymer matrix composites.

Keywords

• ziziphus nummularia (burm.f.) wight & arn.
• natural fiber
• manual retting
• scanning electron microscope
• reinforcement