Dielectric properties of Raphia Fiber from Epidermis of young Raphia Vinifera leaflet

Abstract

There are materials that could serve useful purpose(s) in many fields, but they are left unutilized due to lack of both the knowledge on their useful properties and availability of values as per such properties. Notably, the knowledge of dielectric properties of some materials of plant origin is lacking whereas such is necessary for industrial, agricultural, electrical, electronics, biophysical and medical applications as well as other uses of a material. In this research, Raphia Vinifera is a material of choice. The experimental determination and computation of some dielectric properties of Raphia fiber from epidemis of young leaflets of Raphia Vinifera is explored. The properties considered for determination were dielectric permittivity, loss angle and dissipation factor. A Schering Bridge arrangement was employed, with a fixed thickness and varying areas of sample at various select frequencies. The values of the investigated properties recorded for our research sample trended towards being dependent of frequency. At frequency values above 1 kHz, the values of the properties determined decreased with increase in frequency. The values compared favorably with those of the already known and commonly used dielectric materials. The preliminary investigation showed that Raphia Vinifera would have usefulness in the electrical and electronic industries as raw material for the production of capacitor among other uses.