Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.) Fiber Extraction and Characterization for Its Use in Polymer Composites

• Published in: Journal of natural fibers 2023-04, Vol.20 (1)
• Main Authors: Suárez, Luis, Barczewski, Mateusz, Kosmela, Paulina, Marrero, María D., Ortega, Zaida
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arundo donax; Cellulose; Cellulose fibers; characterization; Chemical composition; Crystallinity; Elastic analysis; Fibers; Giant reed; Leaves; Mechanical properties; Microfibers; Microstructural analysis; Microstructure; Modulus of elasticity; natural fibers; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; Raw materials; Rolling mills; Stability analysis; Stems; Tensile strength; Tensile tests; Thermal stability; Weight loss; 刻画; 天然纤维; 巨大的芦苇
• ISSN: 1544-0478; 1544-046X
• DOI: 10.1080/15440478.2022.2131687

This work describes an extraction method for giant reed fibers from stems and leaves based on chemical soaking and crushing through a rolling mill. Obtained fibers, together with the shredded plant (stems + leaves), are characterized in terms of chemical composition, thermal stability, morphology, and crystallinity. Mechanical properties of fibers have also been assessed (single fiber tensile tests). The results show that the proposed method allows obtaining fibers with higher cellulose content (near 70%), good thermal stability (10% weight loss over 270°C), higher density, and better mechanical properties than other Arundo fibers previously reported in the literature. Fibers from leaves are thinner and show higher crystallinity than those from stems (72 μm vs. 157 μm, 73% vs. 67% crystallinity, respectively), although mechanical properties are similar for both (around 900 MPa for tensile strength and over 45 GPa for elastic modulus). Analysis of the microstructure shows that fibers consist of microfiber bundles, and the removal of a thin layer of non-cellulosic nature is clear; fibers provide a rougher, cleaner surface than shredded raw material.