Bio-fiber recovery from industrially discarded shoot waste (Cymbopogon nardus): a comprehensive study for reinforcement in sustainable composites

Natural fiber-polymer composites are rapidly becoming popular in a wide range of applications because they offer an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional petroleum-derived materials. On the other hand, a significant quantity of organic waste and residue from agro-industrial and agricultural activities is still being underutilized and is disposed of as landfill. In this study, Cymbopogon nardus popularly known as citronella grass left residue from the agro-industry was characterized for the first time. Scanning electron and optical microscopy were used to typify the surface topography of fiber bundles from the residues of Cymbopogon nardus shoot waste (CNS). Functional groups of isolated lignocellulosic CNS fibers were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal degradation by thermal gravimetric analysis, and crystallinity by X-ray diffraction. In addition, lignocellulosic fiber strength, Young’s modulus, and strain at break were evaluated using single fiber tensile testing. Weibull statistical parameters were used to examine the dispersed experimental findings. The low density (1305 kg/m 3 ), high crystallinity (81.4%), higher thermal stability (326 °C), and strong tensile strength (435.9 MPa) make it suitable for composite reinforcement. This detailed analysis suggests how organic waste residues might be used as a novel sustainable ecological material for reinforcement in polymeric composites in the future.