Ceiba speciosa St. Hill fruit fiber as a potential source for nanocellulose production and reinforcement of polyvinyl acetate composites

Abstract

The natural cottony aspect of silk‐floss tree fruit fiber allied with its high‐cellulose content turned our attention for their application at the nanocellulose production since spares the prerefining and pulping processes that are obligatory for the size reduction of the main cellulosic fiber sources. This study presents preparation and characterization of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) using mechanical defibrillation to explore their potential in the preparation of polymer composites using polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) emulsion. We characterized and subjected silk‐floss fruit fiber to four chemical treatments. Based on the degree of delignification, treatments with sodium chlorite (II) and their mixture with methanol and toluene (IV) were chosen for further studies. The resulting CNFs were characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Composites were prepared using several amounts (0.50‐1.00 wt%) of CNFs and their tensile strengths were determined. Composites containing 1.00% CNFs (Treatment II) were found to exhibit lowest strength while those with 0.5% CNFs (Treatment IV) showed the highest strength with 351% and were 518% higher resistant than the PVAc matrix, respectively.

Nanotechnology Applied to Cellulosic Materials

“…In a study, four pretreatments were used to prepare CNFs from the fruit of the silk wire (Ceiba speciosa). These pre-treatments were as follows: sodium hydroxide, sodium chlorite, a mixture of sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide, and also a mixture of methanol with toluene [66]. After these pre-treatments, mechanical treatment and refining (10 passages) followed.…”

The Biology of the Genus Ceiba, a Potential Source for Sustainable Production of Natural Fiber

“…Kapok fibers are a potential source of cellulose and nanocellulose, comprised of up to 69% cellulose [51]. The high cellulose content has also been described in fibers of C. speciosa [52] and C. aesculifolia [47], suggesting that the fibers of the different Ceiba species could be an important source of cellulose and nanocellulose, polymers extensively used in biotechnological industries. Kapok fiber is an excellent oil absorbent due to its hydrophobic nature; it has a high proportion of acetyl groups (approximately 13%).…”

High‐strength unidirectional cellulose long filament‐reinforced polymer composite for structural engineering applications

“…Earth-abundant nanocellulose is a ubiquitous biopolymer template for fabricating engineering materials with tailored properties and functionalities. 2,3 Nanocellulose has been widely utilized in structural materials, packaging, thermal management and advanced composites. [4][5][6][7] Given its abundant nature, renewability, biodegradability, and environmental friendliness, nanocellulose offers a great potential for mitigating plastic pollution.…”

“…Thus far, biobased, eco‐friendly, low‐cost, and fiber‐reinforced biocomposites with excellent mechanical properties are urgently needed to reduce the consumption of synthetic products. Earth‐abundant nanocellulose is a ubiquitous biopolymer template for fabricating engineering materials with tailored properties and functionalities 2,3 . Nanocellulose has been widely utilized in structural materials, packaging, thermal management and advanced composites 4–7 .…”