Statistical approach to explore sustainable characteristics of cellulosic Desmostachya bipinnata fiber and its chemically modified conditions

Abstract

This present work has been intended to investigate the properties of an extracted Desmostachya bipinnata fibers (DBFs). The unmodified/untreated (raw), 10% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and 0.5% potassium permanganate(KMnO4)chemically modified/treated Desmostachya Bipinnata fibers are explored to establish the possibility of designing a large scale natural product or fiber/reinforcement. The raw, alkaline treated and potassium permanganate treated Desmostachya bipinnata fibers are designated as Raw Desmostachya Bipinnata Fibers, Alkali treated Desmostachya Bipinnata Fibers and Potassium Permanganate treated Desmostachya Bipinnata Fibers as samples, respectively. Mechanical, thermal and physio-chemical behaviors and surface morphology of both RDBF and treated Desmostachya Bipinnata Fibers are analyzed. From the results obtained, it is evident that an increase in aspect ratio, due to the diameter reduction by alkalization process, has exhibited high tensile strength with minimum density. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy results have shown variation of chemical bonding, due to different chemical treatments of DBFs. Summarily, the maximum values of Crystallinity Index (CI) and activation energy are obtained with Alkali treated Desmostachya bipinnata fibers sample.