Characterization of New Natural Fiber from the Stem of Tithonia Diversifolia Plant

Abstract

Synthetic fibers are restricted from being used as reinforcements due to increasing awareness of environmental issues and strict laws from government agencies. In recognition of this, the engineering and scientific communities switched their attention to using natural fibers as reinforcement in polymers to make sustainable composites. The fiber was extracted through the water retting process, and characterized from the stem of the Tithonia diversifolia (TD) plant. Physical, chemical, and mechanical properties were investigated and it was found that this fiber has high cellulose content of 65.33 wt.%, and less wax content of 0.67%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the crystallinity index as 45%. Surface morphology was carried out through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) results confirmed the chemical functional groups. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), TG and DTG curves were used to evaluate the fiber thermal stability. This result confirms that TD fiber can be used as potential fiber reinforcement in biocomposites.