Suitability examination of a new cellulosic fiber extracted from the stem of Ventilago maderaspatana plant as polymer composite reinforcement

This article is designed to examine the aptness of Ventilago maderaspatana fiber (VMF) as reinforcement in polymer composites. A significant quantity of cellulose fraction (56.12 ± 5.42 wt%) in the VMF was estimated via chemical analysis. The X‐ray diffraction analysis identified the presence of cellulose type‐I and peak cellulose type‐IV in the VMF, and it quantified the crystallinity index (25.88%) and crystalline size (26.12 nm) of the VMF. Various chemical functional groups in the VMF were categorized with the help of Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopic analysis. The thermal degradation behavior of the VMF was investigated with the help of thermogravimetric analysis, and it determined the thermal stability (200°C) and kinetic activation energy (62.46 kJ/mol) of VMF. The scanning electron microscopic and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopic analysis revealed the existence of contaminations, hemicellulose and lignin on the outer layer of VMF, and it was confirmed by atomic force microscopic analysis. The lower density (1236 ± 18.42 kg/m3) and better tensile strength (383.7 ± 16.07 MPa) of the VMF enabled the possibility of use as reinforcement in fiber reinforced plastics. Characterization of VMF.