Prospect and Potential of Adansonia digitata L. (Baobab) Bast Fiber in Composite Materials Reinforced with Natural Fibers. Part1: Fiber Characterization

Sustainability and environmental consciousness directed attention toward research and innovation in the field of natural fiber composites. Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) is tropical tree of the silk-cotton family that is native to Africa. The aim of this study is to pore over the use of baobab bast fibers as potential reinforcement in polymer composites. The baobab bast fibers were extracted from the bark of baobab tree in Sudan. Fibers were investigated by chemical analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and single fiber tensile test. Further, the density and relative humidity of fibers were determined.The cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, ash, and moisture contents present in the fiber are 60.70%, 21.98%, 5.91%, 5.32%, 13%, respectively. The fiber has a density of 1.1041 g/cm3. FTIR spectra for cellulose and nanocellulose confirms absorption bands characteristic of pure celluloses at 3330, 2919, 1640, 1028. Scanning electron micrographs showed roughening of the fiber surface and crack-like lines indicate fiber clusters being held together. The baobab fiber possessed a crystallinity index of 48.01% with thermal stability up to 250°C. The results revealed that baobab fiber can be utilized as reinforcement in polymer composites.