Unprecedented extraction and characterisation of Yucca elephantipes silver star plant fibre–An exploratory investigation

Abstract

A vegetable cellulosic fibre extracted from the leaves of the Yucca Silver Plant (YSP) through water retting process is presented in this paper. The study explores the diverse applications of the extracted fibre, conducting a thorough characterisation encompassing physical, mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties. Archimedes’ principle-based density test of YSP fibres revealed its average density to be 1.23173 g/cc. Its average tensile strength, tensile modulus and strain rate were determined according to ASTM D3379-75 to be 454.68MPa, 18.744GPa and 2.216%, respectively. The surface and cross-section morphological analysis of YSP fibre revealed an uneven texture and a polygonal and multicellular honeycomb structure. The presence of free functional groups for Cellulose, Hemicellulose and Lignin has been identified by FTIR analysis. Exposure of powdered YSP fibre to XRD revealed acrystallinity index of 54.106% and a crystallite size of 4.70 nm. TG and DTA investigations of YSP fibre disclosed that these fibres are thermally stable up to 226ºC and the Kinetic activation energy to be 76 KJ/mol. Examining the findings suggests that the YSP plant possesses significant potential as a natural fibre resource. The fibres derived from this plant exhibit promise as reinforcement material in polymer matrix-based composites.