Improved mechanical and water absorption properties of epoxy-bamboo long natural fibres composites by eco-friendly Na₂CO₃treatment

Abstract

Epoxy-bamboo long natural fibres composites were prepared by hand lay-up method to study the influence of fibre's treatment on their characteristics. SEM showed increased surface roughness due to the removal of amorphous compounds from the treated fibre as confirmed by the disappearance of certain peaks in FTIR spectroscopy. Resultantly, ∼52% increase in crystallinity was observed by XRD analysis. TGA results also showed the effectiveness of the treatment as mass loss for treated fibres was ∼15% lesser than the untreated fibres. Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis of composites showed highest mass loss in untreated fibres composites and lowest in neat epoxy. The DSC-DTA curves indicated an early start of initiation temperature in treated fibre composite. Tension tests showed ∼12% and ~16% increase in tensile strength and modulus respectively for treated fibres composite due to increased interfacial strength caused by fibre treatment. Treatment also resulted in decreased impact energy and water absorption level.

Sources, Chemical Functionalization, and Commercial Applications of Nanocellulose and Nanocellulose-Based Composites: A Review

“…It has high stiffness and strength and can protect the cell wall from the outside environment. The amount of lignin in the plant cell wall ranges from 10 to 25% by weight, while the amounts of hemicellulose and cellulose are 20–35% and 35–50%, respectively [ 1 , 10 , 11 ]. The main component of the cell wall is cellulose, composed of repeating units of cellobiose, linked together with β-1,4 linkages, as shown in Figure 1 .…”