Physicochemical and Structural Investigation of Argeli (Edgeworthia gardneri) Bast Fibers

Prakash  Gautam; Lucas  Groβmann; Sharmila  Pradhan; Netra Lal  Bhandari; Michael  Nase; Rameshwar  Adhikari

doi:10.6000/1929-5995.2024.13.07

Authors

Prakash Gautam Institute of Circular Economy of Bio:polymers (ibp) at Hof University of Applied Sciences, Alfons-Goppel- Platz 1, 95028 Hof, Germany; Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618 Kathmandu, Nepal; School of Engineering, Pokhara University, 33700 Pokhara, Nepal; Nepal Polymer Institute (NPI), P. O. Box 24411, Kathmandu, Nepal and Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618 Kathmandu, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0275-7907
Lucas Groβmann Institute of Circular Economy of Bio:polymers (ibp) at Hof University of Applied Sciences, Alfons-Goppel- Platz 1, 95028 Hof, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2666-8706
Sharmila Pradhan Nepal Polymer Institute (NPI), P. O. Box 24411, Kathmandu, Nepal and Department of Chemistry, Amrit Campus, Tribhuvan University, Lainchour, Kathmandu, Nepal
Netra Lal Bhandari Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618 Kathmandu, Nepal and Nepal Polymer Institute (NPI), P. O. Box 24411, Kathmandu, Nepal
Michael Nase Institute of Circular Economy of Bio:polymers (ibp) at Hof University of Applied Sciences, Alfons-Goppel- Platz 1, 95028 Hof, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8017-4849
Rameshwar Adhikari Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618 Kathmandu, Nepal; Nepal Polymer Institute (NPI), P. O. Box 24411, Kathmandu, Nepal and Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44618 Kathmandu, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7350-0204

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-5995.2024.13.07

Keywords:

Argeli fibers, Physicochemical properties, Structure, Thermal stability, Water absorption

Abstract

The structure and some physicochemical properties of Argeli (Edgeworthia gardneri) bast fibers were investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopies, Optical Microscopy (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The neat fibers were found to contain about 54.47% cellulose, 25.98% hemicellulose, 10.5 % lignin, 6.1% extractives, and about 2.9% ash. The fibers on chemical treatments changed several properties, some of them being quite significant. Fiber density was increased by 8.5% in the alkali-treated samples which may be due to the loss of less dense components such as lignin and hemicelluloses. The tensile strength of the fiber increased by 34 % and 61 %, respectively, after alkali and bleaching treatments. However, the thermal properties of treated samples did not change significantly. The mechanical properties of Argeli fiber were improved on chemical treatments making them attractive in the fabrication of polymer composites, textiles, and papers.

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