Suitability Evaluation of Raw and Alkali-Treated Cannonball Fibers as Reinforcement in Polymer Composites

In this research, a novel cellulosic fiber from the Cannonball tree was extracted and alkalized. The alkalisation was done for 45 min using a 5% NaOH solution. The cellulose percentage of the alkalized fiber was elevated to 69.23% from 54.96%. The increase in the crystallinity index (72.73% from 65.29%) of alkalized fiber was recognized via XRD analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis established that after alkalization maximal deterioration peak of (362.94 °C from 357.21 °C) and kinetic activation energy (67.5 kJ/mol from 60.33 kJ/mol) are enhanced. Lignin, wax, and impurity-free exterior layers are seen in the FE-SEM images of alkalized fiber. The absence of impurity elements in the EDX spectrum of alkalized CBFs indicated the abolishment of contaminants on the fibre’s exterior. After the NaOH treatment, CBF tensile strength (71.5 ± 25 Mpa from 42.2 ± 10.5), and tensile modulus (4.15 ± 1.572 GPa from 2.1 ± 789) were increased. All the above findings concluded that CBFs are potential materials for reinforcement in fiber-reinforced plastics.