Extraction and characterization of novel cellulosic fiber from Phytolacca americana plant stem

Abstract In this study, a novel cellulosic plant-based fiber was extracted from Phytolacca americana (inkberry) as a sustainable substitute natural fiber for synthetic fibers. For this purpose, an extended characterization of inkberry fibers was carried out. The elemental composition was determined as 58.27% carbon and 41.70% oxygen. Moreover, an image processing approach was presented and used for computing the average thickness of cellulosic inkberry stem fiber. Fiber diameter was estimated from the scanning electron microscope micrographs with image processing as 480.56 µm. The scanning electron microscope image indicated that inkberry fiber has a smooth surface with a channel structure. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the fiber has a 4 nm crystalline size with a 51.4% crystalline index. Fiber functional groups were characterized with Fourier transform infrared analysis. The mechanical behaviors of inkberry fiber were tested with a single fiber tensile test device, and tensile strength was determined as 146.5 MPa, Young’s modulus was found as 24.8 GPa, and elongation at break of fiber was obtained as 2.37%, respectively. Furthermore, the fiber was thermally stabilized up to 435.37 °C with thermogravimetric analysis. These physico-chemical behaviors confirm that inkberry fiber may be recognized as a promising reinforcement fiber in polymer matrix composites for many non-structural applications, which are interior body panels in yachts, automobiles, partition boards in buildings, and barriers. Graphical Abstract