{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.061407440609592114, 'fraction_numerical': 0.06275212909009413, 'mean_word_length': 4.35251798561151, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Physico-Chemical and Thermal Characterization of Some Lignocellulosic Fibres: Ananas comosus (AC), Neuropeltis acuminatas (NA) and Rhecktophyllum camerunense (RC)

This paper focuses on the study of the physical, 
biochemical, structural, and thermal properties of plant fibres of Rhecktophyllum 
camerunense (RC), Neuropeltis acuminatas (NA) and Ananas comosus (AC) from the equatorial region of Cameroon. The traditional use of these 
fibres inspired researchers to investigated their properties. This study aims 
at improving the state of knowledge with a view to diversifying applications. 
The fibres are extracted by retting. Then, their apparent density was measured 
following the ASTM D792 standard and their water moisture absorption and 
moisture content were also evaluated. Their molecular structure was studied by 
ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. A quantitative analysis of the biochemical composition 
was performed according to the analytical technique for the pulp and paper 
industry (TAPPI). A TGA/DSC analysis was also performed. The results reveal 
that the AC, NA and RC fibres have densities of 1.26 ± 1.06, 0.846 ± 0.13 and 
0.757 ± 0.08 g·cm-3 respectively. They are also hydrophilic with a 
water absorption rate of 188.64 ± 11.94%, 276.16% ± 8.07% and 198.17% ± 20%. 
They have a moisture content of 12.21%, 10.36% and 9.37%. The studied fibres 
exhibit functional groups that are related to the presence of hemicellulose, 
pectin, lignin and cellulose. The cellulose crystallinity index was found to be 
67.99%, 46.5% and 59.72% respectively. The fibres under study have the 
following chemical composition: an extractive content of 3.07%, 14.77% and 
8.74%; a pectin content of 4.15%, 7.69% and 3.45%; a hemicellulose content of 
4.90%, 15.33% and 7.42%; a cellulose content of 68.11%, 36.08% and 65.15%; a 
lignin content of 12.01%, 25.15% and 16.2%; and an ash content of 0.27%, 1.53% 
and 0.47% respectively. The thermal transitions observed on the thermograms 
correlate with the TAPPI chemical composition. It is observed that these fibres 
are thermally stable up to temperatures of 200°C, 220°C and 285°C. These 
results make it possible to envisage uses similar to those of sisal, hemp and 
flax fibres.