Suitability Assessment of <i>Adina cordifolia</i> Stem Fibers as Reinforcement in Polymer Composites

This study explores the feasibility of using Adina cordifolia fibers (ACFs) as reinforcements in thermoset polymer composites. ACFs are primarily composed of cellulose (58.36 ± 6.56%), hemicellulose (10.61 ± 3.38%), and lignin (14.55 ± 3.55%), which exert a unique effect on the properties of the fiber. The presence of cellulose I and II in the ACF was detected through X-ray diffraction analysis, revealing that cellulose II had a crystallinity index (CI) of 32.06% and a crystallite size (CS) of 2.23 nm. ACFs can be used in thermosetting polymer composites as their thermal stability (200ºC) and maximum cellulose degradation temperature (336ºC) are higher than the processing temperature of thermoset polymers. The elements present on the outer surface of ACFs were determined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) analysis, which identified the highest quantities of carbon and oxygen in the fiber, which are related to the cellulose and hemicellulose in the fiber, and minimum amount of other elements such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and chlorine, which are linked to contamination in the fiber. The results of atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the rough surface of the ACF; however, surface modification is needed to remove contamination.