Morphological, chemical, thermal and mechanical analysis of doum fibers as potential reinforcement of polymer composites

Abstract

The research article addresses, a novel natural cellulosic fiber namely Doum Palm Leaf Stalk Fibers (DPLSF) were extracted from Doum palm tree ( Chamaerops humilis L.) are rich in cellulose, relatively inexpensive, and readily available in Algeria. The characteristic analysis on morphological, physiochemical, thermal and mechanical proprieties of the extracted raw and treated DPLSF with 20% sodium bicarbonate at various times of treatment were exanimated by optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction method (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermos gravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The SEM micrographs of the longitudinal topographic surface of the DPLSF after chemical treatment with sodium bicarbonate at various times treatment indicated that the removed the waxy layer and impurities from surface and formed a roughened surface. XRD analysis further confirmed the treatment’s positive effect on the fibers, with the crystallinity index increasing from 71.43% to 81.03%. However, FTIR analysis showed minimal changes in the peak position and intensity of transmittance. The TGA/DTG results revealed a significant mass loss in treated DPLSF, while thermal stability improved from 290°C to 330°C. Additionally, we analyzed the mechanical tensile properties of the treated fibers and observed that fibers treated at 20% NaHCO3 for 24 h exhibited the highest Young's modulus 8.63 GPa. To validate the experimental findings, we compared individual DPLSF results to a numerical simulation using ABAQUS code. This study underscores the potential of DPLSF as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fibers, offering immense promise for diverse applications.