Effect of surface treatment and nanoclay on thermal and mechanical performances of jute fabric/biopol ‘green’ composites

Abstract

The effects of surface modification of jute fibers and nanoclay on jute–biopol green composites are evaluated by the thermal and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) characterizations. Four subsequent chemical treatments including detergent washing, dewaxing, alkali treatment, and acetic acid treatment were performed to facilitate better bonding between the fiber and matrix. The scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study confirmed improved fiber surfaces for better adhesion with matrix after final treatment. Enhanced thermal performance and tensile properties were obtained due to chemical treatments. Montmorillonite K10 nanoclay (2–4 wt.%) was dispersed into a biodegradable polymer, biopol, using solution intercalation technique and magnetic stirring. Nanoclay-infused biopol resulted in 7% improvement in the degree of crystallinity over the neat biopol. Jute fiber-reinforced biopol biocomposites with and without nanoclay were produced using treated and untreated jute fibers by the compression molding process. Treated jute fiber-reinforced biopol composites (TJBC) without nanoclay showed 5% and 9% increases in decomposition temperature and storage modulus, respectively, and 19% decrease in coefficient of thermal expansion compared to untreated jute fiber-reinforced biopol composites (UTJBC). The respective values were 5%, 100%, and 45% for 4% nanoclay-infused TJBC compared to UTJBC without nanoclay. ILSS evaluated by the short-beam shear tests, improved by 20% in the TJBC compared to the UTJBC. Incorporation of 4 wt.% nanoclay in TJBC further improved the ILSS by 22% compared to that of TJBC without nanoclay.

Influence of alkali treatment on the mechanical properties of new cane fibre/polyester composites

“…24 The vibration peak at 2924 cm À1 , corresponding to the stretching of the C-H aliphatic group was included in almost all natural fibres. 4,23,24 The intensity of this peak decreased due to the removal of hemicelluloses, which agreed with the results reported by Hossain et al 23 and Ouajai et al 24 In addition, the band observed at 1734 cm À1 was assigned to C ¼ O stretching vibration of the carboxylic acid and ester compounds of hemicelluloses and lignin. 24 The intensity of this peak also weakened after alkali treatment.…”

“…4,23,24 In the alkali-treated cane fibre, the 3360 cm À1 band assigned to the alcohol group was reduced due to the removal of the hemicelluloses components. 4,23 While at the beginning, more OH groups were formed due to the rupture of bonds between hemicelluloses and lignin with cellulose, the removal of a certain amount of hemicelluloses and lignin, as well as the new bonding between Na+ and the fibre probably caused the global number of OH to decrease. 24 The vibration peak at 2924 cm À1 , corresponding to the stretching of the C-H aliphatic group was included in almost all natural fibres.…”

“…The increase in CI by about 10%, obtained after alkali treatment, is thought to be the main contributing factor to the increase in fibre strength, as indicated by Ouajai et al 24 and El Oudiani et al 16 Hence, such a behaviour could be attributed to the increase of the crystalline region at the expense of the amorphous region during the alkalisation caused by loss of amorphous hemicelluloses as indicated in FTIR analysis. 23 The increase in CI is also related to the better packing and stress relaxation of cellulose chains as a result of the removal of amorphous constituents. 16,24 This deduction should be in agreement with the changes in the mechanical properties.…”

Characterization of Sodium-Bicarbonate-Treated Zalacca Fibers as Composite Reinforcements

“…4 and 5, respectively. Degradation of natural fibers normally occurs in 3 stages 36) : (1) loss of moisture, from room temperature to about 200 o C; (2) hemicellulose and some portion of lignin decomposition, in the range of 220 to 350 o C; and (3) cellulose and lignin decomposition, in the range of 350 to 450 o C. These 3 stages of ZF are shown in the TGA graph as 3 areas of mass change and also proven by 3 peaks in DTA graph.…”

Effect of (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane coupling agent on characteristics and mechanical properties of polylactic acid/jute fiber biocomposite

“…Peak at wave number of 2918 cm -1 is caused by -CH vibration of methyl and methylene groups in cellulose and hemicellulose. [7] Whereas, the absorption peak at 1464 cm -1 could be related to -CH3 and 1380 cm -1 is considered as the vibration of CH group in lignin and cellulose. In addition, the vibration of C-OH bonds in JF is recorded at 1061 cm -1 .…”