Characterization of ligno-cellulosic fiber extracted from Atriplex halimus L. plant.

Lignocellulosic fiber extracted from saltbush (Atriplex halimus L.) is characterized as reinforcement of composite materials. The morphological, physical, thermal and mechanical properties of fibers were addressed for the first time in this paper. The fibers were also subjected to chemical analysis. Stems were boiled in 0.5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or 10% sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO). Optical and scanning electron microscopy images show an abundance of fiber in the form of thick-walled polygonal tubes. NaOH treatment yielded rough-surfaced fibers whereas the NaHCO treatment yielded smooth-surfaced fiber. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed that NaOH treatment removed amorphous components. Based on x-ray diffraction, the crystallinity index increased from 55% to 57%. Thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the fiber was thermally stable up to 220 °C and 235 °C with activation energies of 56 kJ/mol and 72 kJ/mol respectively for bicarbonate-treated and NaOH-treated material. In single-fiber tensile tests, the latter was stronger, with a Young's modulus of up to 19 GPa and tensile strength of 229 MPa.