Structural characterization of coconut tree leaf sheath fiber reinforcement

Abstract

The coconut palm tree leaf sheath fibers were analyzed by FTIR spectral analysis, Chemical, X-ray and thermo gravimetric methods to assess their suitability as reinforcements in the preparation of green composites. The morphology of the untreated and alkali treated fibers was studied by scanning electron microscopic method. The FTIR and chemical analyses indicated lowering of hemi-cellulose content by alkali treatment of the fibers. The X-ray diffraction revealed an increase in crystallinity of the fibers on alkali treatment. The thermal stability of the fibers was found to increase slightly by alkali treatment. The tensile properties of these fibers increased on alkali treatment. The mechanical and other physical properties indicated that these fibers were suitable as reinforcements for making the green composites.

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.…”

“…The advantages of natural fibre composites are their renewability, environmental compatibility, low cost, low density, flexibility of use and biodegradability. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] In addition, plant fibres generate less health problems than mineral fibres when used as a reinforcing agent in polymer composites. 9 Nevertheless, some drawbacks can be encountered in their use: (i) mainly the poor interfacial adhesion between the fibre of hydrophilic nature and the hydrophobic polymer.…”

Biomimetic Materials in Our World: A Review.

“…The coir fibre derived from its seed husk is well-known and used in floor coverings, mattress fillings and others. Among other fibres found on a coconut palm [105], the layers of fibrous sheets in the leaf-sheath (base of the leaf stalk attached to the tree trunk) with fibres in the alternating sheets oriented nearly orthogonal to each other appear to be already in a woven structure [106]. Interestingly, the leafsheath consists of three distinct types of multicellular fibres made of mostly cellulose and lignin arranged in a highly ordered structure.…”

Mechanical, Morphological and Thermal Properties of Alkali Treated Grewia Orbiculata Rottler Fiber

“…Most of the drawbacks can be overcome by using natural fibers in the place of synthetic fibers. The usage of naturally available products (fibers, agriculture wastes and wood) as reinforcement in green composites has been increased enormously, because of its biodegradable character, economical and high abundance in availability availability (N. C. Sandeep et al 2017; Reddy et al 2010;Thakur et al 2010;Wambua et al 2003). Poor compatibility between fiber and matrix has been one of the main problems ran across in using the natural fibers in composites (Singha and Rana 2012).…”