Study of Some Physical Properties of Cellulose Fibers Using X-Ray Diffraction Techniques

The X-ray diffractogram of raw and degummed ginger (Zingiber officinale), turmeric (Curcuma longa) and eri (Samia cynthia ricini) fibers are taken at room temperature in an a X-ray Powder Diffractometer (Phillips, XPert Pro). It is found that the degree of crystallinity of the fibers increases due to degumming. The degree of crystallinity of ginger fibers is found to increase from 66.67 % to 78.23 %, of turmeric fibers is found to increase from 69 % to 78.8 % and of Eri fibers is found to increase from 82.39 % to 86.95 % as a result of degumming.