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Totally six composite bio-films were produced through a simple solution casting technique by varying the weight percentage (0, 5, 10,15, 20, 25 wt.%%) of the filler material (ground nutshell (GNS) powder) and matrix (Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)). Before making the bio-film GNS was characterized through particle size analysis and chemical analysis. Composite biofilms were characterized by X-ray Diffraction analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis and tensile testing. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis results established that complete dispersion of GNS in PVA. X-ray Diffraction analysis results pronounced that the crystallinity index of the films was improved when increasing in the filler content. Derivative thermogravimetric curve was also visualized that maximum degradation temperature of the films was improved from 287°C (Controlled PVA) to 337°C (25% GNS/PVA Film). The tensile strength of the bio-films was increased and elongation at break of the bio-films was decreased while increasing the GNS content. The obtained results were clearly showed that the PVA/GNS composite bio-films were suitable materials to produce packaging applications.

The physicochemical, thermal, and surface morphological properties of the Sida mysorensis fiber (SMF) were investigated first time in this article. From the chemical compositional analysis, higher cellulose (53.36 wt. %) and lower hemicelluloses (15.23 wt. %), lignin (9.46 wt. %), wax (0.86 wt), and ash content of (3.33 wt. %) SMF were acknowledged. The different functional groups of SMF were determined through the Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The Crystallinity index (41.17%) and crystalline size (13.06 nm) of SMF were evidenced through the X-ray diffraction analysis. Atomic force microscopy investigation was used to study the surface morphology of SMF. Thermal stability (220°C) and kinetic activation energy (65.486 KJ/mol) of the SMF were determined through the thermogravimetric analysis. All the above findings ensured that SMF can be used as reinforcement in polymer composite.

The present work is planned to investigate the fundamental properties of the novel plant fiber extracted from the bark of Acacia nilotica L. tree. The various chemical compositions of the Acacia nilotica L. fiber (ANF) such as cellulose (56.46 wt. %), hemicelluloses (14.14 wt. %), lignin (8.33 wt. %) and ash content (4.95 wt. %) were identified through the chemical analysis. The maximum degradation temperature of ANF (339°C) was determined by the thermogravimetric analysis. The crystallinity index (44.82%) and crystalline size (3.21 nm) of the ANF were calculated by the X-ray diffraction analysis. The surface topography of ANF was estimated through the atomic force microscope. The density of ANF was identified as a value of 1165 kg/m3 which is comparatively lower than the other renowned fibers such as Acacia leucophloea (1385 kg/m3) and Jute (1460 kg/m3); this would be confirmed with all above characterization results that is an appropriate material to fabricate the green composites.

This investigation aimed at finding the effect of weight fraction (10 wt.%, 20 wt.% and 30 wt.%) and fiber orientation (0°, 45° and 90°) on mechanical properties (Tensile, Flexural and Impact) of Carica papaya fiber/epoxy (CPFE) composite. Totally nine composite samples were fabricated by hand layup followed by compression molding method. Testing results revealed that composites containing 20 wt.% and 0° fiber orientation exhibited better mechanical properties such as tensile strength (122 MPa), flexural strength (118.9 MPa) and impact strength (7.8 J) when compared to composite samples with other weight fraction and orientation. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was used to analyze the fractured surfaces of the composite specimens. The thermal stability of CPFE composites was evaluated by the Thermo Gravimetric (TG) and Differential Thermo Gravimetric (DTG) curves. All the findings led to the conclusion that the CPFE composites are suitable material to make the light weight industrial applications.

Environmental concerns are raised due to municipal solid wastes especially due to non-biodegradable packaging waste materials. To overcome such issues, researchers gained attention in biodegradable natural waste materials as an alternative to existing non-biodegradable packaging materials. In this work, Orange Peel Powder (OPP) chosen as a filler at varying proportion (5% to 20% of wt.) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) used a matrix to prepare biocomposite films by solution casting method. The films were analyzed with FT-IR, XRD, TGA, DSC, and tensile tests. The results of FT-IR and XRD show smooth dispersion of PVA and OPP, whereas samples are thermally stable up to 350°C & tensile properties of the prepared biofilms increased with inclusion of OPP from 6.20 MPa to 7.80 MPa and are better than the conventional-packaging materials which can be used as eco-friendly packaging materials.

In this work, graphene was used as a filler for banyan aerial root fibers reinforced epoxy composites at various compositions. The synergetic effect of graphene and banyan fibers, on the physical and mechanical characteristics of the epoxy thermoset, was studied. The mechanical tests, hardness, water absorption behavior and morphology of the composites were studied. Significant improvement in tensile strength, flexural strength, shore D hardness and substantial reduction in the percentage of water absorption was observed. This paper also discusses the ideal proportion of banyan fibers with graphene powder for the development of the improved epoxy composites. The optimum concentration of the composites was observed at 4% of graphene powder in the 40% banyan fiber-reinforced hybrid epoxy composites. From the results, it is proved that graphene combined with 40% banyan fiber-reinforced epoxy hybrid composites will efficiently improve the strength of the composites.

This study focuses on enhancing the free vibration characteristics of epoxy polymers by reinforcing it with Phoenix sp. fibers and nano-clay for the first time. The composites were prepared by varying the fiber length, fiber volume fraction, concentration of NaOH treatment, and weight percentage of nano-clay and subjected to modal analysis. The optimum fiber length and fiber volume fraction for better vibration characteristics is found to be 30 mm and 40%, respectively. Moreover, the results revealed that the chemical treatment and nano-clay addition show the largest effect on vibration behavior of the composites. Based on the experimental data, it is concluded that the natural frequency of epoxy polymer could be enhanced up to 242% by using aforesaid reinforcements.

This study was aimed at understanding the characteristics of Celosia argentea fiber (CAF) and its physicochemical properties. The physicochemical properties of CAF were analyzed by FT-IR, XRD, TGA, SEM, and AFM analysis. Cellulose content (64.34wt.%), density (843 kg/m3) and crystallinity index (52.54%) properties were identified in the CAF while the thermal studies performed by TG and DTG technique revealed that the maximum degradation temperature is 324°C with a kinetic activation energy of 61.393 kJ/mol. From the results, it is evident that the CAF could be one of the future reinforcement materials for green composites applications.

Natural fiber polymer matrix composites occupy the major percentage in applications due to its ecofriendly and low-cost nature. This study investigates the mechanical properties of a polyester matrix nanocomposite reinforced by the NaOH-treated jute fabric mat (NJM) and untreated jute fabric mat (UJM). In addition, the effects of egg shell powder (ESP) and nanoclay (NC) to the above has also been studied. The matrices were prepared with different combinations of presence and absence of the ESP, NC, and both as well as different weight percentage using compression molding process. The mechanical and morphological properties of the composites were determined. The tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength of NJM with NC 1.5%wt and ESP 1.5%wt were found to be 29.28 MPa, 39.51 MPa and impact strength 3.03 J, respectively. This composition is superior to the other compositions. Morphological analysis of tensile fractured surface showed interfacial adhesion between UJM and NJM composites. NJM composites contained smaller amount of pullouts and the splits compared with the UJM composites, which hold up the better performance.

Environmental friendly products are getting much attention nowadays because of their availability in abundance and their usability in many engineering applications. Natural fibers possess many unique properties which make them easily replaceable to man-made fibers. This review is envisioned to present the various extraction and chemical treatment methods and also focused on providing the information of the fibers in terms of their physical and chemical properties.

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NRPCs) are replacing many synthetic fibers because of their cheap availability and their hygienic, ecological, biodegradable, and sustainable properties. This work involved extraction of new cellulosic fibers from red banana peduncle (RBP) plant and investigated its chemical composition, physical, structural, thermal, and tensile properties. RBP fibers (RBPFs) have high specific strength and good binding properties due to their light weight andpresence of high cellulose (72.9 wt%), low lignin (10.01 wt%), and wax (0.32 wt%). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) determined that RBPFs are rich in cellulose content with a crystallinity index (CI) of 72.3%. The density and diameter of the fibers were found to be about 0.896 g/cm3 and 15–250 μm, respectively. The fiber was thermally stable up to 230°C. Based on the results of this work, it seems that the properties of the fiber are a suitable candidate as a natural reinforcing material for the development of the biocomposite for potential applications.

The natural fiber Epipremnum aureum was extracted from its plant. E. aureum fibers (EAFs) were investigated by chemical analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and single fiber tensile test. Chemical analysis, FTIR, and X-ray analysis evidenced that these fibers has 66.34% cellulose content with crystallinity index of 49.33%. The thermogravimetric analysis reveals that EAFs can thermally withstand temperatures until 328.9°C. The morphology of the EAFs was observed by scanning electron microscope. It was established that the fiber can be utilized as reinforcement in polymer composites.

Natural fibers are one of effective substitute for switching artificial fiber and concentrating to reinforce polymer matrixes due to their decomposable character. This study was implied to realize physico-chemical properties of bio fiber obtained from Heteropogon contortus (HC) plant. Heteropogon contortus fibers (HCFs) had cellulose (64.87 wt. %), hemicellulose (19.34 wt. %), lignin (13.56 wt. %), and low density (602 kg/m3). The chemical functional group of HCFs was established by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal stability of the fiber up to 220°C discovered by thermogravimetric analysis. Further the assets of HCFs proved that it can act as an excellent reinforcement material as a bio composite. Finally, the tensile properties were carried out through single fiber tensile tests, such as tensile strength, tensile modulus and microfibrillar angle.

The increasing environmental awareness has directed attention of the researchers towards the field of natural fiber composites. The aim of this investigation is to understand the physico-chemical properties of fibers extracted from the bark of the Dichrostachys Cinerea (DC) plant. Dichrostachys Cinerea fibers (DCFs) has cellulose (72.4 wt. %), hemicellulose (13.08 wt. %), lignin (16.89 wt. %), density (1240 kg/m3), crystallinity index (57.82%), and tensile strength (873 ± 14 MPa). Besides the cellulose degradation of DCFs at 359.3° vide by the thermo-gravimetric analysis and chemical groups are identified by Fourier transform analysis. Eventually the characterization results of DCFs strongly show the possibility of reinforcement in polymer matrices.

Increasing environmental concerns, along with the potential declination of the crude worldwide reserves, have made the human beings to utilize more regenerable resources to substitute for the design and development of more new products. This has made us to use the synthetic and natural fibers to develop innovative products. However, more eco-friendly properties of natural fibers have made them to be preferable over the synthetic fibers. To make efficient use of these fibers, it is essential to know the behavioral characteristics of these fibers. So, in this review II paper, an effort has been made to discuss the various characterization analysis studies, like Fourier transform-infrared spectra spectral analysis, X-ray and thermogravimetric methods carried out by various researchers.