Extraction and Characterization of Sponge Gourd Outer Skin Fiber

ABSTRACT

Plant-derived natural fibers have recently been used as a promising reinforcement in polymer matrix composites. Fibers from the inner sponge of the luffa cylindrica fruit have been the subject of several studies as reinforcement in various polymer resins. However, no research has been done on the Sponge Gourd Outer Skin Fiber (SGOSF). The present work is aimed to extract and characterize the chemical and physical properties of novel natural lignocellulosic fiber obtained from the outer skin (waste material) of the matured Luffa Cylindrica plant fruit. Characteristic studies on chemical composition, chemical structure, chemical compounds, thermal stability, and morphology of luffa cylindrica outer skin fibers (SGOSF) were investigated. The results revealed that SGOSF had cellulose (81.69 wt. %), lignin (10.14 wt. %), wax (0.22 wt.%), and ash content (1.18 wt. %). The density of the SGOSF was reported as 1.394 g/cm³. Thermal study results indicate SGOSF were withstanding the temperature up to 320°C. Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) was done to determine the molecular structure of SGOSFs. The SGOSFs show tensile strength of 438.5 MPa. These results revealed that SGOSFs could be a sound reinforcement in the polymer matrix composites for various applications.

摘要

植物来源的天然纤维最近被用作聚合物基复合材料中一种很有前途的增强材料. 丝瓜果实内部海绵中的纤维作为各种聚合物树脂的增强材料，已经成为多项研究的主题. 然而，目前还没有对海绵葫芦外皮纤维（SGOSF）进行研究. 本工作旨在从成熟的丝瓜（Luffa Cylindrica）植物果实的外皮（废料）中提取并表征新型天然木质纤维素纤维的化学和物理性质. 对丝瓜外皮纤维（SGOSF）的化学成分、化学结构、化学成分、热稳定性和形态进行了表征研究. 结果表明，SGOSF具有纤维素（81.69 wt%）、木质素（10.14 wt%）、蜡（0.22 wt%）和灰分（1.18 wt%）. 据报道，SGOSF的密度为1.394 g/cm3. 热研究结果表明，SGOSF能够承受高达320°C的温度. 采用傅立叶变换红外光谱分析（FTIR）方法测定了SGOSFs的分子结构. SGOSF的抗拉强度为438.5MPa. 这些结果表明，SGOSFs可以在各种应用的聚合物基复合材料中起到声音增强作用.

KEYWORDS:

• Sponge gourd outer skin fiber
• XRD
• FTIR
• TGA
• physical and chemical properties
• water absorption behavior

关键词:

• 海绵葫芦外皮纤维
• 物理和化学性质
• 吸水性能

Acknowledgements

The authors thank to the KIT-Kalaignarkarunanidhi Institute of Technology for giving all the facilities to complete this work. The authors appreciate the support from Seenu Atoll School, Addu City, Maldives, for the research and preparation of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability

The data used to support the findings of this study are included within the article.

Additional information

Funding

This research work is not funded from any organization.