Cold Plasma as a Competent Approach to Treat Solid Fiber of Ichnocarpus frutescens: PIXE, XRD, Raman, FT-IR, and SEM Analysis

The impact of cold air plasma on cellulosic Ichnocarpus frutescens is investigated, with varied irradiation periods of 1.5, 3, and 4.5 min, at 1 kV. Before plasma irradiation, the IFS fiber was extracted from the plant’s stem using 4% dil. NaOH solution. The impact of plasma irradiation on fibers was evaluated using PIXE, XRD, Raman, FT-IR, and SEM. Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis reveals that IFS fiber holds Si, S, P, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn, each with unique therapeutic qualities. The high concentrations of K, Ca, and Sc were estimated to be 419,310 ± 488, 256,665 ± 2408, and 363,210 ± 423 ppm, respectively, exploring applications in biomedical terrain. XRD analysis revealed the increase in the percentage of crystalline when IFS fiber was irradiated with cold plasma for 1.5 min. However, with an increase in the irradiation time, the percentage of crystalline decreases. The values of microstrain, FWHM, crystallite size, azimuth angle, and helix angle were evaluated for each irradiated IFS sample and the change in these parameters indicates molecular interaction between IFS fiber and plasma. Presence of amide (R-NH₂), halogens, hydrocarbons, and carbonyl groups in the plasma-exposed IFS fiber were established from FT-IR and Raman spectra. The presence of amine (NH₂) and nitrile (NO₃) groups indicates the molecular interaction of plasma with IFS fiber. SEM of both pristine and plasma-irradiated IFS fiber revealed the presence of defects caused by irradiation. The results will aid in utilizing IFS fiber as potential reinforcement in composite materials.