Fiber extraction and enhancement on the physical and chemical properties of Portulaca quadrifida plant fiber-reinforced composite

In this study, we utilize the agriculture waste of Portulaca quadrifida fiber-reinforced composite materials for lightweight structural and other engineering materials. A minimum amount of work was done on this Portulaca quadrifida fiber composite. Foremost is the attempt to extract Portulaca quadrifida fibers from the retting process. The extracted fibers are treated with 5%, 10%, and 15% alkali solutions. The physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of Portulaca quadrifida fiber composites are the focus of this investigation. For the 15% alkali-treated single fiber the maximum tensile strength attained is 5.45 MPa, whereas the untreated fiber is 2.70 MPa. From the chemical analysis, results showed that alkali treatment with 15% had a lower cell wall consistent with cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, etc. On the surface of the treated fiber, the removal of contaminants, oil, particulates, and waxes caused the 5% modified fiber surfaces to be rough. Due to the acid carbonyl’s absorption, the band was visible at 1625 cm⁻¹. The non-aromatic C–H stretching in all of the treated fibers is confirmed by the absorption bands at 3700–2950 cm⁻¹ in the case of NaOH with 5%, 10%, and 15% treated composites. Thus, the CI values for untreated, alkali treated with 5%, 10%, and 15% of Portulaca quadrifida composite were 40.02% 56.25%, 84.31%, and 90.06%, respectively. Using Portulaca quadrifida fiber composites, water uptake ability can be decreased after alkali treatment. A lightweight material application is recommended for Portulaca quadrifida fiber composites based on the results of this study.