Extraction and Characterization of Fibers from Water Hyacinth Stem Using a Custom-Made Decorticator

ABSTRACT

In the reported work, the fibers were extracted from water hyacinth plant using a custom-made fiber decorticating machine. The extracted fibers were subjected to aerobic and anaerobic retting, followed by alkali treatment. The fiber yield and the physico-mechanical properties of the extracted fibers were determined and compared with other lignocellulosic fibers. The extracted fibers were also subjected to chemical composition analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscopic analysis. From the results, it is inferred that the fibers can be easily extracted after 5 days of retting. The anaerobic retting condition slightly favors yield and fiber strength. Alkali treatment significantly enhanced the tensile strength of the fiber and also resulted in a clean fiber surface. The extracted water hyacinth was found to have 67% cellulose content. The SEM analysis shows individual fiber strands, rather a meshy structure. The alkali treatment resulted in enhancement of crystallinity of the retted fibers up to 80.45%.

摘要

在报道的工作中，使用定制的纤维脱胶机从水葫芦植物中提取纤维. 对提取的纤维进行好氧和厌氧脱胶，然后进行碱处理. 测定了提取纤维的纤维产率和物理力学性能，并与其他木质纤维素纤维进行了比较. 还对提取的纤维进行化学成分分析、傅立叶变换红外光谱、X射线衍射分析和扫描电子显微镜分析. 从结果可以推断，经过5天的脱胶后，纤维可以很容易地提取出来. 厌氧脱胶条件略微有利于产量和纤维强度. 碱处理显著提高了纤维的抗拉强度，也使纤维表面清洁. 提取的水葫芦中纤维素含量为67%. 扫描电镜分析显示，单个纤维股，而不是网状结构. 碱处理使脱胶纤维的结晶度提高了80.45%.

KEYWORDS:

• Aquatic plant
• degummin
• fiber extraction
• natural fiber
• retting
• water hyacinth

关键词:

• 水生植物
• 脱胶
• 纤维提取
• 天然纤维
• 脱胶
• 水葫芦

Highlights

• A custom-made decorticator was developed for the extraction of water hyacinth fiber

• The extracted fibers were retted and further degummed with alkali

• The fiber yield and the physico-mechanical properties of the fibers were determined

• The results inferred that the fibers can be easily extracted after 5 days of retting

• The anaerobic retting condition slightly favors yield and fiber strength.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to their respective institute for providing facilities to conduct the present research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical Approval

We confirm that all the research meets ethical guidelines and adheres to the legal requirements of the study country. The research does not involve any human or animal welfare-related issues.

Additional information

Funding

The research work was financially funded by M/S Nova Milan, Costa Rica