Physico-chemical, thermal, and morphological characterization of biomass-based novel microcrystalline cellulose from Nelumbo nucifera leaf: Biomass to biomaterial approach

The identification of novel cellulosic materials is imperative at the moment to ensure high-quality materials for building polymer composites that possess high-performance. This study was conducted to explore the specific properties of a novel micro-sized cellulosic fillers obtained from Nelumbo nucifera leaves and thereby to establish its feasibility as composite reinforcement. The physico-chemical, surface and thermal behaviours are investigated for cellulosic micro fillers that extracted through thermo-chemical method. The density of the extracted fillers was analysed to realize its mode of applicability. Whereas chemical characterization studies were indispensable to explore the chemical nature of the material. Of which, X-ray diffraction analysis proved that Nelumbo nucifera leaves has good crystallinity index (75.9%) and crystalline size (8.2 nm). The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer analysis showed that the material possesses high cellulosic contents rather very less non-cellulosic residues. Scanning electron microscope images disclosed the roughness pattern of the filler surface and subsequently the average particle size of the micro fillers is identified as 23.253 +/- 6.55 mu m through ImageJ tool. At the same time, atomic force microscopy images revealed that micro cellulose extracted has desired average roughness (28.296 mu m). Though, the suitable surface features of Nelumbo nucifera leaves are found to be virtuous for providing interfacial bonding with other matrices during composite formulation. Along with that, good thermal stability (215 degrees C) offers its processing and application even at relatively higher temperatures. Since, the present study has accomplished that Nelumbo nucifera leaves is a promising alternative source of micro cellulose for traditionally used sources like wood, hemp, and cotton, for the extraction of micro cellulose, which could be further used as a promising alternative to synthetic reinforcements.