Characterization of raw and alkali treated prosopis juliflora fibers for potential polymer composite reinforcement

Abstract

The present world scenario owes for the need of materials which posses more ecological and biodegradable characteristics as well as capable of substituting man-made materials which resulted in the rapid increasing use of natural fibers. In the present investigation, the physico-chemical, thermal, tensile and morphological properties of Prosopis juliflora fibers (PJFs) are presented. Alkali treatment of PJFs was carried out at 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% (w/v) concentrations for a period of 45 min. 6% (w/v) treated PJFs results showed optimal results. These optimally treated fibers showed higher cellulose (74.42 wt. %), lower hemicellulose (2.21 wt. %), lignin (9.11 wt. %), higher crystallinity index (56.64%), crystallite size (15.76 nm), tensile strength (650 6.43 MPa) and better thermal stability.