Structural, Anatomy Characteristics and Thermal Properties of Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Diss)

Abstract

The structure, anatomical characteristics and thermal properties of the plant ampledosmos mauriatnicus were analyzed. The analysis of mineral compounds was carried out by X-ray fluorescence (FRX). Physical properties were investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the structure and morphology of sample. The results reveal the % (W/W) cellulose content of Diss is 28.13 %, hemicelluloses content is 26.26% and lignin content is 24.95 %. Analysis of extractives contents in Diss were revealed to be 12.03 %.According to XRD data, Diss showed, a crystallinity index (CI) 52.5 %. High crystallinity of cellulose induces thermal decomposition of fibers at high temperatures. These results show that this plant is rich in cellulosic fibers and that could be used as raw material in industries and paper making.In recent years, more attention has been given to lignocellulosic biomass for sustainable development and environmental preservation [1][2][3]. Studies focusing on lignocellulosic biomass are increasingly important in view of the various applications [4][5][6][7].The main biomass compounds are cellulose; hemicellulose and lignin. Hemicelluloses and cellulose are polysaccharides. Lignin is made of phenolic polymers that consist of three types of phenylpropaneuntis: p-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, and sinapyl alcohol [8][9][10]. Cellulose is a polymer of beta-D-glucopyranose moieties linked via beta-glycosidic bonds [11,12]. The cellulosic chains have a variable degree of polymerization between 10000 units of glucopyranose in wood to 15000 units in native cotton [13][14][15]. The properties of cellulose depend on several parameters such as chain length, crystallinity, hydrogen bonds and the distribution of functional groups [8-16-18]. These important parameters make cellulose a unique material. Therefore, one of the most important sources of cellulose remains wood, however the use of annual plants can be used. Increasingly, annual plants are being used as a potential source for industrial processing. These plants are interesting because of their abundance and low cost and their main advantage is their rapid growth which makes them available in many regions of the world [19][20][21]. Annual plants, Diss (Ampelodesmos mauritanicus), can be also used as an alternative to wood for cellulose-based materials. This plant species belongs to the poaceae, is found in the Mediterranean and resists drought well [22][23][24][25][26]. To appreciate the potential of this plant, a physical, chemical, structural and thermal characterization is necessary. The aim of