Studies on Nano Cellulose Century Fiber Composites

Nano cellulose composites are used for advanced applications for structural parts and electronic components. Biocompatible water soluble cellulose composites are used in medical appl ications as well. Nano cellulose fibers are extracted through various chemical and mechanical treatments to separate the cellulose and to further refine it. Composites are made using thermosetting polyester resin and biodegradab le poly vinyl (PVA). A research work is proposed in this paper for extraction of lignocellulose and nano cellulose fibers from century plant and developing the composites for evaluation of TGA, DSC, DMA, dielectric, tensile, flexural, impact, hardness and hygroscopic properties. App lications for the composites will be suggested based on the the properties of the composites. Keyword: Century fiber composites; nanocellulose fibers; nano cellulose composites; biodegradable composites.

cellulose composites have drawn the attention development thermosetting and automotive, packaging 10]. Nano cellulose fiber composites are fully biodegradable and biocompatible excellent mechanical properties. Due to high crystallinity and high aspect ratio and low density of nano cellulose fibers, there is considerable composites produced.
mechanical, thermal, absorption properties of different natural fiber composites has identified that the potential to give better increasing interest on composites over the last decade and extensive research has been the best properties for various Nano cellulose fibers are isolated natural fibers by chemical and mechanical treatments [5]. Chemical treatments prior to mechanical treatments reduce the size homogenization by [6] and reduce the energy consumption during mechanical treatments. Different chemical treatments include: alkaline treatment coupled with high pressure defibrillation, acid treatment, enzyme-assisted hydrolysis and acid hydrolysis. Mechanical treatments include: high pressure homogenization, ultrasonication, cryocrushing and grinding. Isolation assisted by oxidation pretreatment Tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) facilitates. Other methods include steam explosion and electro-spinning [7][8][9][10][11]. Nano fibrillated cellulose (NFC) reinforced composites are produced using phenolic resin.
Styrene butyl acryl ate amyl pectin melamine formaldehyde, etc. Nano composites are made by hand layup technique using bio resin and TEMPO oxidized NFC. The specimens are investigated for mechanical, thermal [12] and dielectric humidity absorption, morphology and transparency the composites [6]. Different biodegradable polymers used are: PEO-poly (ethylene oxide), PVA (vinyl alcohol), and PAA-poly PCL-poly (ε-caprolactone), PLA PS-polystyrene, EVOH-ethylene copolymer, PMMA-poly (methyl 14]. Thermoplastic rice straw nano cellulose composites are made using reinforced starch [15]. In the first step, almost all components are removed from pulp of cellulosic fibers are obtain Research and Development (IJTSRD) www.ijtsrd.com

Nano Cellulose Century Fiber Composites
India been carried out to explore for various applications [4,5]. Nano cellulose fibers are isolated from a variety of natural fibers by chemical and mechanical treatments [5]. Chemical treatments prior to mechanical uce the size of the fibers before homogenization by [6] and reduce the energy consumption during mechanical treatments. Different treatments include: alkaline treatment high pressure defibrillation, acid assisted hydrolysis and acid hydrolysis. Mechanical  Recently, modified cellulose has been reinforcement for various composites soluble polymers. Addition of cellulose increased viscosity and mechanical properties and accelerated the rate of biodegradation. Chemical modification cellulose has been an important route production of multifunctional materials. biodegradable composite films for membrane and packaging applications are developed by method using modified cellulose with alcohol) in different compositions [8,15,16]. These films are characterized for mechanical, moisture absorption, gas barrier, and biodegradable properties [16,17]. They have shown good transparency, flexibility, good mechanical and properties. These films have exhibited better properties with increase in percentage cellulose. Literature review revealed that reported research has not been found on Century fiber composites. Century fibers will be extracted from Agave Americana plants are abundantly available as border plant. The century fibers are widelyused textile and paper industry. The century cellulose fibers will be used to cast various structural parts in Automobiles, electronic and packaging industry.

III.
PROPOSED WORK The proposed research work is to produce wealth from waste by developing useful products from desert plants. By extracting nano cellulose fibers from leaves of Century plant. Century nano cellulose fiber sheets are molded using thermoset polyester resin and also poly (vinyl alcohol), a biodegradable resin.
The composites will be tested for various mechanical properties such as: flexural, tensile, fracture, impact, Barcol hardness and water absorption and dielectric breakdown properties. Thermal properties like, glass transition temperature and thermal degradation will be studied using Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Thermogravimetric Analysis respectively. Scanning Electron Microscopy will be done to study the The fibers are then used for was found that the Young's modulus of the nano reinforcement by cellulose was been used as various composites with water cellulose increased the viscosity and mechanical properties and accelerated biodegradation. Chemical modification of important route for the multifunctional materials. High strength membrane and by film casting with poly(vinyl erent compositions [8,15,16]. These mechanical, moisture barrier, and biodegradable properties good transparency, biodegradable ve exhibited better barrier properties with increase in percentage of modified Literature review revealed that reported cellulose nano extracted from abundantly available as widelyused in the The century nano used to cast various structural , electronic and packaging The proposed research work is to produce wealth from waste by developing useful products from desert plants. By extracting nano cellulose fibers from leaves of Century plant. Century nano cellulose fiber sheets er resin and also poly (vinyl alcohol), a biodegradable resin.
The composites will be tested for various mechanical properties such as: flexural, tensile, fracture, impact, Barcol hardness and water absorption and dielectric roperties like, glass transition temperature and thermal degradation will be studied using Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Thermogravimetric Analysis respectively. Scanning Electron Microscopy will be done to study the fracture behavior of the compos results of the studies, the scope of application of the material will be suggested.

IV. PREPARATION OF COMPOSITES A. Century Plant Century (Agave Americana)
Agavaceae family and is native to Mexico and its name is derived referring to the long time it takes to flower. These plants grow generally used for fencing. Their leaves are 2 m long and 25 cm wide. They are located as a rosette trunk. Century fiber has drawn researchers because of their large leaf length, leaf biomass, fiber length, fineness, density and strength.

B. Extraction of Century Fibers
The lignocellulosic fibers from Century plant are produced from leaves by retting process. The leaves are cut and dried to allow the watery substance to evaporate and then soaked in still water The fermented soft greenish substance is washed thoroughly and the fibers are peeled off the leaves and are washed and dried in shady place. The length the fibers is between 100-123 cm and the size ranges between 150µ m to 300 µm.

C. Extraction of Cellulose [16,17]
Cellulose is extracted by a process called water pre hydrolysis [10]. The fibers which are of 1 are cut into approximate length of 5 chopped fibers are dewaxed where a mixture of Toulene/ethanol (2:1 vol/vol) is poured in flask and the fibers were put in a cloth and placed in the Soxhlet extractor and boiled at a temperature of 70°C for 6 hours. They are washed with ethanol f then allowed to dry. The de mixed with 0.1M NaOH in 50% volume of ethanol at 45°C for 3 hours under continuous stirring by keeping the beaker on a magnetic stirrer. treated with H2O2 at pH=10. 5

REPARATION OF NANO CELLULOSE
Century (Agave Americana) plant belongs to native to Mexico and its e is derived referring to the long time it takes to flower. These plants grow in clusters and are generally used for fencing. Their leaves are 2 m long and 25 cm wide. They are located as a rosette without drawn attention by several researchers because of their large leaf length, leaf length, fineness, density and high

Fibers
The lignocellulosic fibers from Century plant are produced from leaves by retting process. The leaves and dried to allow the watery substance to evaporate and then soaked in still water for 15 days.
greenish substance is washed thoroughly and the fibers are peeled off the leaves and are washed and dried in shady place. The length of 123 cm and the size ranges

[16,17]
Cellulose is extracted by a process called water prehydrolysis [10]. The fibers which are of 1-1.25 m long are cut into approximate length of 5-10mm. The chopped fibers are dewaxed where a mixture of Toulene/ethanol (2:1 vol/vol) is poured in flask and the fibers were put in a cloth and placed in the Soxhlet extractor and boiled at a temperature of 70°C for 6 hours. They are washed with ethanol for 30 min and then allowed to dry. The de-waxed fibers are then mixed with 0.1M NaOH in 50% volume of ethanol at 45°C for 3 hours under continuous stirring by keeping the beaker on a magnetic stirrer. Then the fibers are at pH=10.5(buffer solution) is carried out at 45°C in a solution of H2O2with different concentrations, viz., (a)0.5% H2O2 (b)1% (d)3% H2O2 for 3 hours each under continuous agitation. Then each mixture is treated with 10% w/v NaOH + 1% w/v 32°C for 15 hours under stirring. Then, solid obtained will be formation will be confirmed by solubility test, since it is freely soluble in water. This International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456 @ IJTSRD | Available Online @ www.ijtsrd.com salt will be treated with 2-(Trifluromethyl) benzoylchloride in the presence of pyridine as a base cum Solvent and stirred overnight at 100 At the end of the process, only cellulose will be left which is then washed with 95% ethanol and then water and dried at 60°C in an oven until the weight remains constant. Then the fibers are ground to obtain in the form of a powder. Important stages a illustrated in Fig. 1. The reaction mixture was heated to 100•C for 24 hrs. After 24 hrs, the reaction mass will turn to viscous state, it will be allowed to reach room temperature and spread on the Teflon mold of one square feet with 3mm depth. The mold will be coated with mold releasing spray and dried under vacuum oven at 100 • C to remove water contents completely. After complete drying of the cast films, they are stored in moisture free environment.

V. EVALUATION OF PROPERTIES A. Preparation of Specimens and Testing
Preparation of specimens for flexural test tensile t Impact test hardness, moisture absorption test will done as per corresponding ASTM standards. morphology studies, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used. At the end of the process, only cellulose will be left which is then washed with 95% ethanol and then water and dried at 60°C in an oven until the weight remains constant. Then the fibers are ground to obtain in the form of a powder. Important stages are (Trifluromethyl) taken in water along and Poly(vinyl alcohol) as matrix in different proportions as: 10 : 90, 40, 70 : 30, 80 : 20, 90 : 10, and 95 : 05 ratios. The reaction mixture C for 24 hrs. After 24 hrs, the reaction mass will turn to viscous state, it will be allowed to reach room temperature and spread on the Teflon mold of one square feet with 3mm depth. The mold will be coated with mold releasing spray and C to remove water contents completely. After complete drying of the cast films, they are stored in moisture free environment.

ROPERTIES
Testing flexural test tensile test Impact test hardness, moisture absorption test will be done as per corresponding ASTM standards. For morphology studies, Scanning Electron Microscope strength, flexural material is defined as the ability to resist deformation under transverse loads. Flexural properties will be evaluated as per point bend test on compression testing machine supplied by Hydraulic and Engineering Instruments, New head speed of 1.25 mm/minute, at standard laboratory atmosphere of 23°C ± 2°C (73.4°F ± 3.6°F) and 50 ± 5 percent relative humidity. Specimens for flexural test are cut from laminas as per ASTM D790.
Flexural Strength: Flexural strength stress in the outer surface of the specimen at the moment of break. When the homogeneous elastic material is tested with three maximum stress occurs at the midpoint.
Flexural Modulus: Flexural modulus (N/m ratio of flexural stress to the strain in flexural deformation.It is a measure of the stiffness during the initial part of the bending process. Flexural modulus is the ratio of stress to corresponding strain within the elastic limit.  and Engineering Instruments, New Delhi, at a cross head speed of 1.25 mm/minute, at standard laboratory atmosphere of 23°C ± 2°C (73.4°F ± 3.6°F) and 50 ± relative humidity. Specimens for flexural test are cut from laminas as per ASTM D790.
Flexural strength is the maximum stress in the outer surface of the specimen at the break. When the homogeneous elastic material is tested with three-point system, the midpoint.
Flexural modulus (N/m 2 ) is the f flexural stress to the strain in flexural deformation.It is a measure of the stiffness during the initial part of the bending process. Flexural modulus is the ratio of stress to corresponding strain within the Test Setup

Tensile test, tensile strength and tensile
It is the maximum stress (N/m 2 ) that the material can withstand before failure. It is also called as ultimate tensile strength.
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456 @ IJTSRD | Available Online @ www.ijtsrd.com Tensile Modulus: It is also known modulus (N/m 2 ) or modulus of elasticity and is a measure of the stiffness of the material. It is given the ratio of the uniaxial stress to the uniaxial Tensile test will be conducted on an electronic tens testing machine Zwick/Roell Z010-10KN cross head speed of 3 mm/min and gauge length mm. Standard Type IV dumb bell shaped specimens are used as per ASTM D-638-03. The values strength and tensile modulus are obtained load-deflection values by taking the maximum load resisted by the specimen up to the point and the corresponding strain. Loading of on the Tensile Testing Machine and the grips used holding the specimen are shown in Figs.

D. Impact strength
It is the ability of the material to withstand loading. It is measured by the work done (kJ/m fracturing the material under shock impact test is used in the present case. Notched impact performance of the composite is evaluated as ASTM D-256-05 using Pendulum impact tester, model IT 30 Izod impact supplied by PSI Sales Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, shown in Fig. 4. The size samples is 12 mm X 60mm. The test specimen is supported by a vertical cantilever beam specimen was broken by the swing of The energy absorbed in doing so is measured as difference between the height of drop before rupture and the height of rise after rupture of the

E. Barcol Hardness
Barcol hardness test characterizes the indentation hardness of the materials through the depth penetration of an indenter, often used materials. Standard test method ASTM D used to find indentation hardness of through Barcol impresser model no. 934-1 shown in Fig. 5. the material to withstand shock the work done (kJ/m 2 ) in shock loading. Izod impact test is used in the present case. Notched impact is evaluated as per 05 using Pendulum impact tester, model IT 30 Izod impact supplied by PSI Sales Pvt.
The size of the samples is 12 mm X 60mm. The test specimen is beam and the the pendulum. The energy absorbed in doing so is measured as drop before rupture test specimen. The morphology of fractured surfaces composites will be studied Microscopy (SEM) using EVOMA15 Sma shown in Fig. 6. The fracture indicates the amount of energy absorbed before fracture, which is a measure material. The SEM reveals the nature between the fibers and the matrix.
Before performing SEM, The fractured specimens will be placed on a stub as shown platinum and inserted into the scanning barrel. The inter-condition of the scanning barrel is vacuumed to prevent interference of scanning picture due to the presence of air. Magnification, focus, contrasts and brightness of the result is adjusted to produce the micrographs.

G. Differential Scanning Calorimetry(DSC)
Glass transition temperature Tg of a non material is the critical temperature at which the material changes its behavior from hard and brittle to rubbery state. This is less than the melting temperature (Tm). Differential Scanning Calorimetry is used for finding the Tg of the composites. DSC is performed with the help of Mettler using analyzer to measure Tg. The temperature is programmed in the range of 25°-300°C with a heating rate of 10°C/min in nitrogen atmosphere with a flow rate of 30 ml/min. The Mettler DSC ins the silver pan used for conducting the test are shown in Figs. 9.

H. Thermo gravimetric Analysis (TGA)
Thermal degradation or weight loss due to heating is a measure of the thermal stability of the material under high temperature. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) curves are used to determine the thermal degradation and thermal stability of the polymeric material. Thermal decomposition is observed as per ASTM E 1131 in terms of loss of global mass using TA Instrument TGAQ50 V20.10 Build 36 thermo gravimetric analyzer shown in Fig.9. The sample area is enclosed by a cylinder inside of the quartz tube. This energy-absorbing cylinder absorbs radiation from the lamps and heats the sample, pan, and Calorimetry(DSC) a non-crystalline material is the critical temperature at which the material changes its behavior from hard and brittle to This is less than the melting ). Differential Scanning Calorimetry omposites. DSC is performed with the help of Mettler using Star SW 8. 1 . The temperature is 300°C with a heating rate of 10°C/min in nitrogen atmosphere with a flow rate of 30 ml/min. The Mettler DSC instrument and the silver pan used for conducting the test are shown Instrument Perkin-Elmer (TGA) Thermal degradation or weight loss due to heating is a re of the thermal stability of the material under gravimetric analysis (TGA) curves are used to determine the thermal degradation and thermal stability of the polymeric material. Thermal decomposition is observed as per ASTM E in terms of loss of global mass using TA Instrument TGAQ50 V20.10 Build 36 thermo gravimetric analyzer shown in Fig.9. The sample area is enclosed by a cylinder inside of the quartz tube.
absorbing cylinder absorbs radiation eats the sample, pan, and thermocouple. Temperature is measured and controlled by a thermocouple assembly under the sample pan.

I. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis(DMA)
This analysis gives the storage modulus, loss modulus and damping property of the materials. Ma response for stress, temperature and frequency is determined through this test. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, otherwise known as DMA, is a technique where a small deformation is applied to a sample in a cyclic manner. This allows the materials res stress, temperature, frequency and other values to studied. The term is also used to refer to the that performs the test. DMA is also called DMTA Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis. Specimens for dynamic mechanical analysis ASTMD 4065.
The Pyris Diamond DMA equipment by Perkin Instruments is shown in Fig. 10. DMA yields information about the mechanical properties of a specimen placed under minor sinusoidal oscillating force and temperature.  Short Time Immersion: The samples are conditioned by heating in an oven at 50±3 o C for then cooling to room temperature. The weights samples will be taken by Shimadzu Electronic Balance (AY 220) that has a readability of the samples are immersed in double distilled water 24 hrs at room temperature. Reconditioning is done by keeping them once again in the oven 24 hrs at 50±3 o C. Percentage increase in weight the specimen during immersion is obtained ratio of increase in average weight of the conditioned specimen after immersion in water for 24 average weight of reconditioned specimen is calculated nearest to 0.01%. The amount matter lost is given by the decrease in weight specimen after reconditioning. The percentage water absorbed is the sum of the % increase and the soluble matter lost.
Long Term Immersion: The total water absorbed by the conditioned specimens upon immersion 1200. The average % increase in weight specimen is calculated. The percentage increase in thickness or length or width swelling is obtained by the ratio of the increase in the respective and the initial dimension.  Fig. 18 as per ASTM D-570-98. This test method covers the determination of the water by fiber when a fiber is very intimately related to such properties as electrical insulation resistance, dielectric losses, mechanical The samples are conditioned for 24 hours and temperature. The weights of the taken by Shimadzu Electronic readability of 0.001g. All the samples are immersed in double distilled water for 24 hrs at room temperature. Reconditioning is done oven (Fig.11) for C. Percentage increase in weight of the specimen during immersion is obtained by the the conditioned 24 hrs and the reconditioned specimen is d nearest to 0.01%. The amount of soluble is given by the decrease in weight of the specimen after reconditioning. The percentage of increase in weight al water absorbed by the conditioned specimens upon immersion for about 1200. The average % increase in weight of the specimen is calculated. The percentage increase in width swelling is obtained by respective dimension

CONCLUSION
The proposed research work Century nano cellulose polyester and PVA composites can be of great value as new structural materials automobiles, electronic devices, and packag materials. The biodegradable PVA composites will find applications as biocompatible materials. Development of composites from these fibers will contribute for the development Extraction of nano cellulose fibers from the plant fibers can grow as a cottage industry. The proposed research work on development of Century nano cellulose polyester and PVA composites great value as new structural materials for automobiles, electronic devices, and packaging materials. The biodegradable PVA composites will find applications as biocompatible materials. composites from these fibers will contribute for the development of Green Technology. nano cellulose fibers from the plant s can grow as a cottage industry.