Synthesis and characterization of cellulose from Pachygone ovata leaf biomass as green reinforcement for biocomposites


Suyambulingam I., Sunesh N. P., Senthamaraikannan P., Divakaran D., Murali A., Han S. S., ...More

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES, vol.321, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

Abstract

Pachygone ovata leaves (POL) offer a sustainable option due to their availability as an underutilized agro-waste and their low land, water, and energy requirements. Pachygone ovata leaf cellulose (POLC) was extracted using various chemical extraction methods. The raw material, specifically POL, contained 55.42 % cellulose, whereas hemicellulose and lignin compositions were 12.89 % and 19.90 %, respectively, highlighting its potential for biobased applications. Following the alkali treatment, the cellulose yield percentage was 56.12 %. The Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed the presence of primary hydroxyl, carbonyl, and phenolic chemical bonds. The X-ray diffraction analysis yielded a crystallinity index of 48.56 %, indicating that the material exhibited a semi-crystalline state. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed three stages of degradation for the POLC (1.529 g/ cm3), with the peak decomposition temperature reaching 288.11 degrees C. On the basis of the SEM analysis, the POLC showed a fibrillar structure, with micrometric particles averaging 60.40 +/- 21.102 mu m in diameter. Ultravioletvisible spectroscopy confirmed the optical properties of the substance by detecting a peak at 292.03 nm. The results revealed that the microcrystalline cellulose produced from the POL showed suitable physicochemical properties, making it ideal for pharmaceutical, biopolymer, and sustainable packaging applications.