Sains Malaysiana 48(1)(2019): 145–154

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2019-4801-17

Revisiting the Morphology, Microstructure, and Properties of Cellulose Fibre from Pineapple Leaf so as to Expand Its Utilization

(Mengkaji Semula Morfologi, Mikrostruktur dan Sifat Serabut Selulosa daripada Daun Nanas untuk Memperluaskan Penggunaannya)

BUDSARAPORN SURAJARUSARN¹, PAWEENA TRAIPERM² & TAWEECHAI AMORNSAKCHAI^1,3,4*

¹Polymer Science and Technology Program, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Phuttamonthon District, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand

²Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Phyathai 10400, Thailand

³Center of Sustainable Energy and Green Materials, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Phuttamonthon District, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand

⁴Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Phuttamonthon District, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand

Received: 13 July 2018/Accepted: 28 August 2018

ABSTRACT

Pineapple leaf waste is an agricultural product that is available in large quantities and is still under-utilized. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the morphology, microstructure, and mechanical properties of pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) such that its full potential may be realized. Pineapple leaf, its fibre bundles and elementary fibres have been investigated. Morphology, size, and mechanical properties of fibre bundles extracted from different parts (i.e. bottom, middle and top) of a leaf were studied. It was found that the PALF obtained from vascular tissue and from the mesophyll have different macroscopic shapes. Both, however, contain micron-size elementary fibres of similar size and shape. Size and properties of fibre bundles change from the bottom end of a leaf toward the top end. Pineapple leaf microfibre (PALMF) was found to be smaller in diameter than other natural fibres. It is also very long and its structure changes according to its position along the leaf. At the bottom end a clear and large central hole or lumen can be observed. At the top the lumen becomes almost undetectable. The mechanical strength of PALMF appears to decrease, albeit very slightly, toward the tip of the leaf. The mechanical properties of the fibres are relatively high and comparable to that of flax and hemp fibres which are widely studied and used as reinforcing materials in composites. Very long microfibre can easily be obtained from fibre bundles by dissolving the binding matrix. Potential applications for this microfibre are suggested.

Keywords: Cellulose microfibre; elementary fibre; high aspect ratio fibre; natural fibre; pineapple leaf fibre

ABSTRAK

Sisa daun nanas adalah satu produk pertanian yang tersedia dalam kuantiti yang besar dan masih kurang dimanfaatkan. Oleh itu, tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengkaji morfologi, mikrostruktur dan sifat mekanik serabut daun nanas (PALF) supaya potensi penuhnya boleh dicapai. Daun nanas, berkas serabut dan unsur serabut telah dikaji. Morfologi, saiz dan sifat mekanik berkas serabut yang diekstrak daripada bahagian yang berbeza (bahagian bawah, tengah dan atas) daun telah dikaji. Didapati bahawa PALF yang diperoleh daripada tisu vaskular dan mesofil mempunyai bentuk makroskopik yang berbeza. Kedua-duanya, bagaimanapun mengandungi unsur serabut saiz mikron dengan saiz dan bentuk yang sama. Saiz dan sifat berkas serabut berubah dari hujung bawah daun hingga ke atas. Mikroserabut daun nanas (PALMF) didapati lebih kecil diameternya daripada serabut semula jadi lain. Ia juga sangat panjang dan strukturnya berubah mengikut kedudukannya di sepanjang daun. Di bahagian bawah, lubang pusat yang jelas dan besar atau lumen dapat diperhatikan. Di bahagian atas pula, lumen hampir tidak dapat dikesan. Kekuatan mekanik PALMF dilihat berkurangan, walaupun sedikit, ke arah pucuk daun. Sifat mekanik serabut ini agak tinggi dan setanding dengan serabut flaks dan hem yang dikaji secara meluas dan digunakan sebagai bahan pengukuh komposit. Mikroserabut yang panjang boleh diperoleh dengan mudah daripada unsur serabut dengan melarutkan matriks mengikat. Potensi aplikasi untuk mikroserabut ini adalah dicadangkan.

Kata kunci: Mikroserabut selulosa; nisbah serabut aspek tinggi; serabut daun nanas; serabut semula jadi; unsur serabut

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*Corresponding author; email: taweechai.amo@mahidol.ac.th