A Novel Microfiber Cellulose from Paederia foetida Stems: Characterization of Physical, Morphology, Thermal, and Chemical Properties

Abstract

Abstract The Paederia foetida (PF) stem’s abundant and environmentally friendly novel nanocellulose has immense potential as a reinforcing agent for bio-nanocomposites. This work aims to investigate the physical, thermal, chemical, and morphological properties of cellulose microfibrils from Paederia foetida stems (CMFPFs). Sodium chlorite, acetic acid, and 5 % sodium hydroxide were used to perform bleaching and mercerization operations to extract cellulose. Chemical composition, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, density, moisture content, examination of cellulose morphology using field emission scanning electron microscopy, and thermal stability were assessed using thermogravimetric analysis. The outcomes showed that the delignification and mercerization methods, respectively, removed lignin and hemicellulose from the extracted cellulose. Higher crystallinity was produced from chemically treated fibers, according to XRD examination. The CMFPF sample had a crystallinity index of 97.9 %, which was higher than the raw PFs (81.9 %) and bleached PFs (84.38 %). The maximum crystallinity was identified for CMFPFs, which had the lowest moisture content, fiber diameter, and density of the samples. After bleaching and mercerization have been applied to the fiber, changes in functional groups take effect.