July 06, 2024 | Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy |
A study conducted by the National Institute of Textile Engineering and Research, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and the University of Dhaka focused on extracting and characterizing fibers from the stem of the dragon fruit plant (Hylocereus undatus). With increasing environmental concerns about non-biodegradable materials, this research aimed to explore the potential of natural fibers as sustainable alternatives. The fibers were extracted using traditional water retting methods and subjected to detailed morphological, mechanical, thermal, elemental, and chemical characterization.
The chemical analysis revealed that the fibers contained 72.18% holo-cellulose, 55.21% cellulose, 16.97% hemicellulose, 15.48% lignin, and 9.20% wax. With a crystallinity of 83.47%, the Hylocereus undatus stem fibers outperformed many other natural fibers. Thermal analysis showed that the fibers maintained stability up to 320.06 °C, with a kinetic activation energy of 69.06 kJ mol⁻¹. The rough surface morphology indicated strong bonding potential with polymers, making the fibers suitable for composite materials. Additionally, the low density (1.08 g/cm³) makes them ideal for producing lightweight composites.
The study concludes that Hylocereus undatus stem fibers present a viable alternative to non-biodegradable materials for use as reinforcement in polymer composites, offering environmental and performance advantages.