Extraction and Characterization of Cellulosic Fiber from Indian-Origin Rough Cocklebur Stems: Suitability as Reinforcement in Polymer Composites

In this research, Xanthium strumarium plant stem fiber (XSPSF) was extracted from the Indian-origin rough cocklebur. The chemical, physical, morphological, structural, mechanical, and thermal properties were obtained from the characterization techniques, including chemical analysis (CA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDAX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), single fiber tensile testing (TTSF), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. From the CA, it was found that XSPSF contains 67.29% of cellulose (CE) content. The diameter and the density of XSPSF were found to be 547.9 μm and 0.36 g/cm3, respectively. The characteristic peaks of CE appeared at 3356cm−1 and 1438cm−1 when XSPSF was subjected to FTIR characterization, which corresponds to the hydroxyl and methyl groups, respectively. Further AFM and SEM revealed a low-level surface impurity with a high degree of nano-roughness and specular projection, which may enhance the fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion during applications. EDAX analysis validated the elemental composition with 58.35% of carbon and 34.15% of oxygen, thus confirming the presence of CE, hemicellulose (HE), and lignin (LN) of the fiber. The overall findings strongly support that XSPSF, as a potential reinforcing material in composite applications.