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Jute-mat (JM) reinforced polyvinylchloride (PVC) composites were prepared with various contents of acetylated and non-acetylated JM by heat-pressed method at 160 °C to obtain a neat PVC (NPVC), untreated PVC-JM composites (UC) and treated PVC-JM composites (TC). Structural, mechanical, surface morphological and thermal properties of a NPVC and a series of UC and TC were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, mechanical test and differential thermal analyses (DTA). Water intake (WI) measurements of these samples were also performed. FTIR spectra show distinct absorption peaks for NPVC, UC and TC, suggesting a modified surface texture of JM fiber. While the NPVC does not show any water absorption, the UC exhibit higher WI than TC, indicating that the hydrophilic moiety of JM is filled up by the acetyl group. Tensile strength, flexural strength, Young's modulus and tangent modulus of TC are observed to be higher than those of NPVC and UC. Surface micrographs reveal a better adhesion between acetylated JM and PVC than between non-acetylated JM and PVC. The decomposing temperature of TC is observed to be higher than that of NPVC and UC. Enhancement of various properties of acetylated JM-PVC composites is elaborately discussed in this paper.

This research work has been undertaken to fabricate environmentally friendly biocomposites for biomedical and household applications. Sponge-gourd fibers (SGF) obtained from Luffa cylindrica plant were chemically treated separately using 5 and 10 wt% NaOH, acetic anhydride and benzoyl chloride solutions. SGF reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites were fabricated using melt compounding technique. Surface morphological, structural, mechanical and thermal properties, as well as antibacterial activities of raw and chemically modified SGF reinforced PLA (SGF-PLA) composites were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry, universal testing method, thermogravimetry, and Kirby-Bauer agar diffusion method, respectively. Surface morphology indicates that after treatment of fibers, the interfacial adhesion between PLA and fibers is improved. X-ray diffractometry result shows that chemical treatment of fibers improves the crystallinity and exhibits new chemical bond formation in the composites. After chemical treatment, compressive strength of the composites is found to increase by 10% -35%. The thermal stability of the treated fiber reinforced composites is also found to increase significantly. The composites have no antibacterial activities and no cytotoxic effect on non-cancer cell line. Soil burial test has confirmed that the composites are biodegradable. Benzoyl chloride treatment of fibers shows superior mechanical properties and enhances thermal stability among the composites.

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Sponge-gourd fibers (SGFs) were subjected to chemical treatments such as alkalization, acetylation, and benzoylation by 5−15 wt% sodium hydroxide, acetic anhydride, and benzoyl chloride solutions, respectively, in order to improve fiber–matrix adhesion. SGF-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites were fabricated using melt compounding technique. Both untreated and chemically treated fiber-reinforced composites were subsequently characterized by using a field emission scanning electron microscope, a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer, an X-ray diffractometer, a universal testing machine, and a thermogravimetric analyzer. Structural analyses show that the chemical treatment improves the crystallinity of SGF and exhibits chemical bond formation in the SGF-reinforced PLA composites. Surface morphology indicates that after the treatment of fibers and increase in the treated fiber content, the interfacial adhesion between PLA and fibers is improved. The effects of fiber loading of chemically treated SGF on physical and mechanical properties of the composites were analyzed. Compressive strength of the composites was increased by 10–35% with incorporation of treated fibers into the PLA matrix. The thermal stability of them is found to increase significantly. Soil burial test has confirmed that the composites are biodegradable. Benzoylation of SGF shows superior mechanical properties and enhances thermal stability among the composites.