In the current work, the experiments on Careya Arborea (CA) fiber have been carried out for physio-chemical properties, thermal properties, and other characteristics. The chemical composition of CA fiber has been identified with rich content of cellulose (71.17%), lignin (14.95%), hemicellulose (27.86%), small amount of wax (0.18%) and ash (0.78%). CA fiber crystallinity index of 85.05% with crystalline size 7.40 nm is seen from XRD analysis. The surface morphology and roughness of the CA fiber have been investigated using scanning electronic microscopy and found an average diameter of 28 nm, Atomic force microscopy (AFM) with an average surface roughness of 33.458 nm and Energy dispersive X-ray micro analyzer to confirm the element configuration. Thermal properties of CA fiber were also measured by Thermogravimetry analysis and Differential scanning calorimeter analysis. The results showed the thermal stability of upto 248°C and degradation temperature of 385°C which is suitable for polymer composite fabrication. The chemical functional groups available in CA fiber were identified by FTIR. The density of the CA fiber was 1140 kg/m3 which is lower than the existing fibers and exhibited respectable tensile properties. The results were compared with latest natural fibers to discern the versatility in various applications such as aerospace, automotive and automobile industries.
Supercapacitors have garnered substantial interest owing to their capacity to deliver power effectively for short-term applications. However, current supercapacitors suffer from limited stability and low-capacity storage. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a promising solution due to their high surface area and abundant active redox sites. MOF-based electrodes combined with aqueous based electrolytes have shown potential to enhance supercapacitor performance. While there is limited literature on MIL-101(Fe) MOF-based electrodes, a comparative study was conducted to investigate the supercapacitor performance of MIL-101(Fe) electrodes synthesized using hydrothermal and microwave-assisted processes. Processing parameters, such as the method used, alter the microstructure, morphology, and uniformity of supramolecular chemistry, impacting electrochemical characteristics. This study aimed to determine the active redox reactions, chemical stability, surface area, adsorption characteristics, and electrochemical characteristics of the electrodes. The electrodes from hydrothermal synthesis [MF(ht)] exhibited excellent electrochemical activity in comparison to the microwave-assisted [MF(m)] electrodes in the three-electrode configuration. At a high current density of 7 A/g, the MF(ht) electrode displayed a remarkable specific capacitance of 775.6 F/g and a good cyclic stability (82% @ 10 A/g) after 5000 galvanostatic charge–discharge cycles. At a current density of 1 A/g, the two-electrode configuration of MF(ht) yielded a high energy density of 74.7 Wh/kg at a power density of 2160 W/kg and a decent cyclic stability after 5000 cycles. The results suggest that the MF(ht) electrodes possess remarkable electrochemical properties that make them a promising candidate for advanced applications in energy storage.
For the first time, the current work has carried out a chemical treatment of a novel ligno-cellulose fiber that is extracted from the bark of an unexplored plant of Careya arborea. Careya arborea (CA), a flowering tree known for its green berries, thrives in the Indian subcontinent and Afghanistan. This research was focused on extracting fibers from the bark of the Cary tree for the first time to corroborate the influence of chemical treatment on its different characteristics. These CA fibers have a high proportion of cellulose, consisting of 71.17 wt percent, together with 27.86 wt percent of hemicellulose, and a reduced density of 1140 kg/m3, making them a suitable candidate for creating lightweight applications in a variety of industries. Chemical treatment has done on the cay fiber with the concentrations of NaOH 5 (wt%), 10 (wt%), and 15 (wt%) solution mixture to improve their characteristics. Estimated the difference between Chemically processed and non-processed Cary fibers and corroborated in results. We performed a number of experiments, including FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDAX, AFM, and TGA, to fully comprehend the changing properties. Chemical testing showed that cellulose changed from its non-crystalline state to cellulose, proving that the treatment was successful in changing the fibre structure. Additionally, the thermo-gravimetric examination showed higher thermal stability 248 °C–325 °C and a rise in the crystallinity index, indicating the treated fibers’ improved potential for high-temperature applications. The treated Cary fibers exhibited excellent surface properties, promising improved adhesion, mechanical performance, offering lightweight and sustainable solutions for diverse applications.