Synthesis and characterization of cost-effective industrial discarded natural ceramic particulates from Cymbopogon flexuosus plant shoot for potential polymer/metal matrix reinforcement

Use of agricultural waste for biocomposite is one of the main concerns of researchers because the waste is an abundant, economic, and eco-friendly source. Agro wastes of Cymbopogon flexuosus plant shoot (CFPS) from an oil extraction industry was analyzed for its feasibility as reinforcement in a metal matrix composite and as a lignocellulosic filler in a polymer matrix composite. In this study, non-carbonized and carbonized CFPS wastes were characterized by using a combination of spectroscopic and chemical techniques. The carbonized CFPS is rich in SiO 2 along with other traces of hard ceramic particles as authenticated by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy. The presence of siloxane and silanol elemental groups was also confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data. Similarly, Fourier transform infrared and the X-ray diffraction spectroscopy analysis on powdered non-carbonized CFPS waste confirmed the semi-crystalline nature of the CFPS with a higher crystallinity index. Moreover, the non-carbonized CFPS had a rough surface, as confirmed by atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscope analyses. Hence, the experimental data highlighted the feasibility of the CFPS waste as filler and a substitute for silica-based inorganic fillers/reinforcement for composites in enhancing its properties.