Thermochemical and structural characterization of raffia fiber fabric (Raphia vinifera) from the Amazon region

Abstract

Raffia, a natural lignocellulosic fiber (NLF) extracted from the leaf of the Raphia vinifera palm tree was a long time introduced to the Amazon region. A thermochemical and structural evaluation of the raffia fiber fabric was conducted in the current study. Characterization of the fabric fibers was done using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), lignocellulosic analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermogravimetric analysis showed a loss of moisture at 52.0 °C and the beginning of degradation at 245 °C. During DSC analysis, three peaks were detected: one endothermic peak at 56 °C and two exothermic peaks at 298 and 336 °C, which were linked to the materials in the fibers. The FTIR showed bands indicating molecular vibrations of functional groups present in the constituents of the NLF, like cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Moreover, the raffia fiber fabric exhibited a CI of 66.04% and an MFA of 7.24° as shown in the XRD pattern. The moisture content of the raffia fabric was measured at 9.47%. The density of the raffia fabric was measured at 0.95 g/cm³. Furthermore, it has been discovered a chemical composition with 25% lignin, 14% hemicellulose, and 52% cellulose. Moreover, SEM images revealed that the raffia fiber fabric displays surface porosity throughout its entirety. Given the results mentioned above, raffia fabric fibers show great promise for use in engineering applications, as their properties are comparable to those of other NLF composites used in polymer reinforcement.