Influence of pretreated sugarcane bagasse fiber by steam explosion, soaking with caustic soda, and addition of coupling agent into polylactic acid biocomposites

Abstract

Biocomposites containing natural fibers waste have gained the attention of researchers due to their biodegradability and suitability for several applications in different industries. In this study, sugarcane bagasse fibers waste was treated by digestion with NaOH and steam explosion to the previous soaking with NaOH, and their impregnation with 1% maleated polyethylene was used as reinforcement in poly (lactic acid) matrix composites. Surface morphological changes were observed with scanning electron microscopy due to fiber treatment/MAPE in the PLA matrix. The biocomposites with MAPE improved Young’s modulus, but the strength tensile was reduced. Flexural modulus of biocomposites shows a considerable increase with MAPE, for biocomposites of 10% and 20% of bagasse the values are circa 8000 MPa regarding the 3500 MPa from PLA. These increases in the properties are ascribed to the improved interfacial interaction of the modified sugarcane bagasse fibers into the PLA. The analysis of TGA shows that incorporation of fiber with and without treatment and MAPE improved the thermal stability. By adding fiber into the biocomposites, the loss modulus peak becomes wider, this means that adhesion of the matrix and the fiber were improved. The X-ray diffraction graph shows an increase in the crystallinity of the biocomposites after the treatment and the addition of MAPE compared to the matrix of PLA.

Sugarcane Bagasse: Challenges and Opportunities for Waste Recycling

“…The pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse is a critical step in producing biofuels [50,51] because it helps make cellulose and hemicellulose more accessible to enzymes and microorganisms, leading to improved biofuel yields. This is typically achieved through chemical or physical treatments, such as acid hydrolysis [52], alkaline pretreatment [53], steam explosion [54], organosolv pretreatment [55], and pyrolysis [43]. Several factors, including the type of biofuel required, the availability of equipment, and cost of the process, influence the choice of technique.…”

Accelerated aging of polymer composite from Pennisetum purpureum fibers with recycled low-density polyethylene

“…Natural fibers have been largely studied as reinforcement in polymer composites. 1–4 Advantages related to the wide variety of plants that can provide fiber, renewable and environmentally friendly source of raw material, low cost for production and acceptable reinforcing properties for polymer composites can explain this trend. 5,6…”

“…Natural fibers have been largely studied as reinforcement in polymer composites. [1][2][3][4] Advantages related to the wide variety of plants that can provide fiber, renewable and environmentally friendly source of raw material, low cost for production and acceptable reinforcing properties for polymer composites can explain this trend. 5,6 Elephant grass or Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum schum) is a plant originated from the African continent with fast growth, which can be found throughout the Brazilian territory.…”