Natural cellulosic fiber from Carex panicea stem for polymer composites: extraction and characterization

Nowadays, commercial natural fibers cannot meet the increasing industrial demand. In order to meet this demand, recommending a new natural fiber for the composites industry is very important. In this paper, Carex panicea fibers were characterized for the first time and introduced as a potential natural fiber. Physical, chemical, thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of the Carex panicea fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Carex panicea fibers consist of 65.70% cellulose and 27.8% hemicellulose content. The density and crystallinity index of the fiber were found as 1.247 g/cm(3) and 56.42%, respectively. Tensile strength and Young's modulus of fibers were determined as 143 +/- 41 MPa and 5.5 +/- 1.86 GPa, respectively. Carex panicea fibers are thermally stable up to 219.4 degrees C. Carex panicea fibers are potential bio-degradable reinforcement material for light-weight polymeric composites with relatively enhanced mechanical properties and decomposition temperature.