Thermal degradation study of natural fibre through thermogravimetric analysis

Abstract

Thermogravimetric analysis was performed to understand the thermal degradation characteristics of natural fibre (bhimal). The objective of the study was to evaluate the suitability of fibre as an alternative to synthetic fibre for reinforcement in polymer composite synthesis. The thermal degradation study was conducted at three heating rates, 10, 15 and 20 °C/min from room temperature to 800 °C. The highest weight loss (65–71 wt%) was observed in the temperature range of 200–435 °C. Three model-free isoconversional methods, FWO, KAS, and Friedman, were applied to estimate the kinetic parameters (activation energy and pre-exponential factor). Average activation energies of 115.96 ± 30.89, 111.08 ± 33.01, and 112.67 ± 41.87 kJ/mol were calculated by FWO, KAS, and FR methods, respectively. The respective estimated pre-exponential factors were 1.41E + 11, 6.62E + 10, and 4.49E + 13 min−1. The kinetic parameters varied substantially with the conversion level, which shows the multi-step reaction mechanism of bhimal fibre thermal degradation. The present study suggests the apparent activation energy of bhimal fibre in the range of 108–120 kJ/mol for polymer composite synthesis.