Analysis of surface treatment of Tinospora cordifolia natural fiber for sustainable development

This article presents analysis on characterization of the alkali treated natural fibers from the stem of Tinospora cordifolia plant/vine. The fiber was treated with NaOH solution of different concentrations (3%,6%,9% w/v) for different treatment duration(30, 60 & 90 min) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed. XRD analysis revealed improved Crystallinity Index (C.I) for all treated fibers, however maximum C.I was observed for fiber treated with 3% NaOH concentration for 60 min. Severity of treatment and possible degradation of cellulose led to decrease in C.I. at higher concentrations. TGA indicated the effect of NaOH and on correlation between crystallinity and thermal stability. NaOH treatment improved the Thermal stability (T_onset) at lower concentrations but reduced at higher concentrations. At lower concentrations, removal of amorphous content hemicellulose which has lower thermal degradation temperature is observed, which results in higher T_onset. At higher concentrations, severity of treatment results in removal or breaking of cellulose chains which reduces T_onset. Even though T_onset improved at lower concentrations, maximum temperature of thermal degradation (T_max) reduced both at lower and higher concentrations. This is because of the degradation of alpha cellulose and lignin which are thermally stable compared to other amorphous substances like hemicellulose. FTIR results suggest the decomposition of chemical bonds pertaining to hemicellulose, wax and other impurities at lower concentration and that of cellulose and lignin at higher concentrations. The results indicate NaOH treatment of 3% for 60 min to be optimum, though greater reduction in properties is not observed at 6% NaOH. However, 9% treatment is observed to be destructive from XRD, TGA & FTIR analysis. The research paves way for sustainable development through use of natural fibers for synthetic ones in composite industry.