Physical, chemical, and thermal behaviour of date palm leaflet as potential reinforcement material for green composites

The potential of using date palm leaflet (DPL) as a green composite reinforcement in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region was investigated in this study. An experimental study was conducted on two specific varieties of date palm, Deglat Noor and Mch Deglat, from Bouchagroune, Mekhadma and Lichana, Biskra, Algeria. A series of analyses were carried out, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, to evaluate the physical properties of the fibres, including bulk and absolute densities, specific porosity, and detailed morphological characteristics. Additionally, the chemical composition of these fibres was meticulously examined by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermal properties were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results revealed the unique microstructural features of date palm fibres, such as a roughly cylindrical shape interspersed with threads, cells, and pores. Analyses demonstrated that date palm powder was a low-density and porous material comprising mainly carbon, oxygen, and silicon. These elements were responsible for various functional groups, including hydroxyl (O-H), hydrocarbon (C-H), and carbonyl (C-O), and confirmed the presence of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. The thermal stability of these fibres highlighted their potential as reinforcing materials in high-temperature applications. Therefore, this study suggested that these fibres were promising candidates for improving a range of materials in various fields due to their unique structural, chemical, and thermal properties. These conclusions contribute to the optimal management of biowastes through innovation and the development of materials.