Nelumbo nucifera biomass waste-based biofiller: a comprehensive characterization for utilization as biodegradable fillers

The widespread application of composite materials in diverse fields warrants the need of biocompatible materials to favor environmental sustainability and eco-friendliness. In this context, the rhizome of the lotus aquatic plant has attracted the exploration of its qualities for composite application. The Nelumbo nucifera (NN) is the botanical name of the lotus plant whose unused rhizome has been extracted, dried, crushed, and analyzed. The NN rhizome powder is characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The rhizome powder has hydroxyl, carboxyl, and ether functional groups with heterogeneous surface morphology, uneven dimensions particle sizes, and coarse structure. The XRD and TGA test reported the crystalline nature of the rhizome powder with CI 57.7%, crystallite size of 2.2 nm, and thermal stability up to 290 °C. These characteristics and results extend the NN rhizome as a natural filler in polymer composites with enhanced biological sustenance.

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