Thermal degradation analysis of banana fiber by Coats & Redfern methodThermal Degradation Analysis of Banana Fiber by Coats and Redfern Method

Nidhi Shukla; G.L. Devnani

doi:10.37591/jopc.v11i2.7225

Abstract

Nowadays, natural fiber is more advantageous than synthetic fiber. Natural fibers are used as reinforcement material with combination of polymer matrix. These are of different types like banana fiber, bamboo fiber, sisal, hemp, and jute, etc. Banana fiber is one of them which is most common and easily available fiber in global scenario. It is biodegradable, renewable, and lower in cost. This fiber is higher in cellulosic content. Out of 1000 available banana species, around 20 are used in household purposes. The fiber that is withdrawn from the pseudo-stem, leaf, etc. of the banana tree is tremendously hydrophilic in nature due to existence of hydroxyl group, whereas the polymer matrix to which alterations are thought to be made is totally water repelling species. It is one of the best reinforcement material for preparation of composites. The banana production across the world has experienced ample growth with an annual growth rate of 3.2%. Characterization of banana fiber can be done by different characterization techniques. Characterization techniques, like FTIR, SEM, TGA, and XRD are used for characterization of fiber. In this work’s TGA analysis is done to understand the behaviour of thermal degradation of banana fiber. By using TGA data, thermal kinetics can be obtained. Thermal kinetics can be done by different methods and at different heating rates. To calculate thermal kinetics at single heating rate, Coats and Redfern method is used and calculation of activation energy is done. Activation energy obtained by this method is 114 kJ/mol. This value is different for different fibers. Banana fiber reinforced composites has also many applications in different industries.