Physicochemical characterization of natural fibers obtained from seed pods of Ceiba aesculifolia

Abstract

Characterization of Ceiba aesculifolia (CA) fibers by various techniques is herein reported. The seed pods were collected, and the fibers surrounding the seeds were characterized or treated in an oven at 100 °C prior to characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis coupled with a differential scanning calorimeter (TGA-DSC). The SEM micrographs showed that the natural material is comprised of tubes of external diameter of approximately 27 μm and a mean wall thickness of about 0.62 μm. The results also indicated that the tubes begin to decompose at approximately 220 °C.

The Biology of the Genus Ceiba, a Potential Source for Sustainable Production of Natural Fiber

“…The fibers are comprised of microtubes with a mean external diameter of about 10 µm and a wall thickness of 0.1 µm; meanwhile cotton fibers present mean external diameter of about 16.8 µm and a wall thickness of 3.9 µm [45,46]. These characteristics, that provide less strength, were also reported for other species of Ceiba [47]. The cellular origin of the kapok fiber, the cells of the endocarp, facilitates fiber collection, such as cotton lint, as it is not attached to the seed.…”

“…Kapok fibers are a potential source of cellulose and nanocellulose, comprised of up to 69% cellulose [51]. The high cellulose content has also been described in fibers of C. speciosa [52] and C. aesculifolia [47], suggesting that the fibers of the different Ceiba species could be an important source of cellulose and nanocellulose, polymers extensively used in biotechnological industries. Kapok fiber is an excellent oil absorbent due to its hydrophobic nature; it has a high proportion of acetyl groups (approximately 13%).…”