LAUSR

Abstract The research article focuses on extraction, characterization, activation energy and thermal degradation kinetics of undervalued Saccharum spontaneum (Kans grass) fibers as a possible reinforcement material in polymer composites. The fibers were extracted from Saccharum spontaneum plant and treated with various concentrations of alkali that is 3 wt%, 5 wt% and 7 wt% to improve the properties. Untreated and alkali treated fibers were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Mechanical property tester and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG). Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) and Friedman methods were used to observe the decomposition activation energy and thermal kinetics of these fibers before and after treatment. The 5% alkali treated fibers exhibited maximum increase in average activation energy that is from 137 ± 3.1 kJ/mol to 194 ± 2.4 kJ/mol calculated from various methods as compared to untreated fibers. Similar improvements were observed in mechanical properties, crystallinity index, surface roughness and thermogravimetric analysis.