Composite Interfaces, Vol.20, No.8, 575-593, 2013
Characterization of new cellulose sansevieria ehrenbergii fibers for polymer composites
Natural cellulose fibers were newly identified from the sources of sansevieria ehrenbergii plant. These fibers were extracted using the mechanical decortication process. The hierarchical cell structure of the plant and fibers was analyzed using scanning electron microscope, optical microscope, Fourier transforms infrared, and X-ray diffraction. The density and diameter of the fibers were found to be approximately 0.887g/cm(3) and 10-250m, respectively. The various chemical compositions were analyzed and compared with other natural fibers. The thermal stability of the fiber was examined through thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTG). The maximum peak temperature was obtained at 333.02 degrees C in DTG curve. The raw fibers exhibited a tensile strength of 50-585MPa, an elongation at break of 2.8-21.7%, a Young's modulus of 2.5-7.5GPa, and a corrected compliances Young's modulus of 2.5-7.8GPa.
Keywords:sansevieria ehrenbergii;chemical composition;infrared spectroscopy;X-ray diffraction;thermal stability