Effect of alkaline and benzoyl chloride treatments on the mechanical and morphological properties of sugar palm fiber-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites

Abstract

The present study deals with the effects of alkaline and benzoyl chloride treatments of sugar palm fibers (SPFs) on the mechanical and morphological properties of SPF-reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites. Seven different parameters of SPFs were compared, which were untreated, three alkaline solution concentrations of 4%, 5%, and 6% for alkaline treatment, and 50 ml benzoyl chloride-treated SPFs at three different soaking durations of 10, 15, and 20 min. Composites of 30 wt.% SPF–reinforced 70 wt.% PLA were prepared by using a Brabender plastograph mixer and a hot press. The tensile, flexural, and impact properties of the SPF/PLA composites were improved after alkaline and benzoyl chloride treatments on the SPFs. However, the best tensile, flexural, and impact properties of the composites were observed at 6% alkaline treatment of SPF; the morphological analysis also supported this. The 6% alkaline treatment of the SPF/PLA composite demonstrated the highest tensile, flexural, and impact strength values of 17.08 MPa, 32.34 MPa, and 4.39 kJ/m2, respectively. These treated SPF/PLA composites could be appropriate for automobile component applications.

Physical, Mechanical, and Morphological Properties of Treated Sugar Palm/Glass Reinforced Poly(Lactic Acid) Hybrid Composites

“…For non-hybrid S1 composite (only 30 wt % untreated SPF and 70 wt % PLA), the flexural strength was 26.3 MPa, which was supported by the study of Sherwani et al [40] for flexural analysis of different ratio SPF/PLA composite. The analysis showed that the hybridization of GF did not significantly affect the flexural strength of composites.…”

“…Table 4 shows moisture contents, theoretical/experimental composites density, and void contents of non-hybrid and hybrid SPF/GF/PLA composites. In general, the experimental and theoretical densities differed from each other due to a significant influence of voids and pores in the composite towards the behavior of the composite [40]. It is clear from Table 4 that, with the help of glass hybridization, the percentage of voids decreased, as confirmed by SEM images in the morphological investigation.…”

“…Hence, a 70% PLA to 30% fiber ratio is considered in this research. The effect of alkaline and benzoyl chloride treatment of SPFs on PLA were also determined by Sherwani et al [40] and reported that the optimum percentage is 6% alkaline and the best soak duration is 15 min for enhancing the mechanical properties of SPF/PLA composites. As a result, a 6% alkaline and 15-min benzoyl chloride treatment is considered here.…”

Recent Advances in Development of Waste-Based Polymer Materials: A Review

“…Currently, the most commonly used methods are the production of copolymers grafted with anhydrides, including maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene or polyethylene (PP-g-MA or PE-g-MA) [54], or the use of fillers surface modification. While in the case of composites modified with vegetable fillers in the form of natural fibers, mercerization and benzoylation methods are commonly used [55,56] to modify the fibers, leading to reducing their specific surface hydrophilicity and changing the degree of crystallinity [57]. Figure 2 shows the microstructure of hemp fibers after treatment by different methods.…”

“…in the case of composites modified with vegetable fillers in the form of natural fibers, mercerization and benzoylation methods are commonly used [55,56] to modify the fibers, leading to reducing their specific surface hydrophilicity and changing the degree of crystallinity [57]. Figure 2 shows the microstructure of hemp fibers after treatment by different methods.…”