Mechanical and Morphological Study of Arecanut Leaf Sheath (ALS), Coconut Leaf Sheath (CLS) and Coconut Stem Fiber (CSF)

A quantitative as well as morphological analysis of three fibers (arecanut leaf sheath, coconut leaf sheath and coconut stem fiber) is showed here. FT-IR analysis of these fibers is also done for finding the difference of functional groups in the frequency domains of 4000-650 cm-1. Chemical analysis of fibers shows a comparative amount of chemical components such as aqueous extract, pectic matters, lignin, α–cellulose, hemicellulose, fatty and waxy matters in percent. Arecanut leaf sheath fiber represents the highest percent of α-cellulose. SEM analysis investigate the characteristics of the surface of the fibers. Correspondence to: Pinku Poddar, Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh; E-mail: p.pinku@yahoo.com