Characterization of novel natural cellulose fiber from Ficus macrocarpa bark for lightweight structural composite application and its effect on chemical treatment

This study investigates Ficus Macrocarpa tree bark fibers (FMB) as a sustainable alternative reinforcement for polymer composites. The Industrial Revolution marked the evolution of polymer composites with synthetic material reinforcement, leading to environmental concerns. Natural fibers have recently gained prominence as efficient alternatives for polymer composites. Despite numerous natural fibers being considered, ensuring a sustainable raw material source remains crucial. In this study, fibers were extracted from FMB and subjected to alkali treatment to evaluate their impact on physical, chemical, and thermal properties. Initially, the extracted fibers measured 253.80 ± 15 μm in diameter, reduced to 223.27 ± 12 μm post-alkali treatment. Chemical analysis showed an increase in cellulose content to 59.7 wt%, a 23.34 % improvement over untreated fibers (48.4 wt%). The crystalline index for untreated and treated fibers measured 80.20 % and 84.75 %, respectively, with no noticeable changes in the cellulose phase. Additionally, the crystalline size increased to 3.21 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated enhanced stability of treated fibers up to 378.87 °C, while the kinetic activation energy remained constant at 64.76 kJ/mol for both the treated and the untreated fibers. The alkali treatment further improved surface roughness to 39.26, confirmed by scanning electron microscopic images. These findings highlight the potential of cellulose fibers from Ficus Macrocarpa bark as a sustainable and environmentally friendly replacement for synthetic fibers in polymer composites. The enhanced physical properties and excellent thermal stability make them a promising choice for eco-conscious materials.