Utilization of Natural Cellulosic African Teff Straw Fiber for Development of Epoxy Composites: Thermal Characterization with Activation Energy Analysis

ABSTRACT

This article focuses on the utilization of cellulosic fiber African Teff straw, for the fabrication of epoxy composites. 5 and 10% NaOH solution is used for surface treatment of fiber. Compositional and XPS analysis is preformed for untreated and treated fibers and O/C ratio is evaluated. Impact, morphology, crystallinity, thermal characteristics and activation energy of untreated and alkali-treated Epoxy composites reinforced by this fiber are studied. Isoconversional FWO and Friedman are applied for understanding the degradation behavior along with apparent activation energy of composites. 5% alkali-treated composites have improved thermal stability and has apparent activation energy 249 kJ/mol, which is 16% higher compared to untreated composites. Compositional and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) analysis of fiber and characterization of composites along with XRD (X-ray diffraction) analysis also support these findings. Composites reinforced by optimally treated fiber can be utilized for semi structural applications

摘要

本文主要研究利用纤维素纤维-非洲聚四氟乙烯秸秆制备环氧复合材料. 纤维表面处理采用5%和10%氢氧化钠溶液. 对未经处理和处理的纤维进行了成分分析和XPS分析，并对O/C比进行了评价. 研究了该纤维增强环氧复合材料的冲击性能、形貌、结晶性能、热性能和活化能. 采用等变FWO和Friedman方法研究了复合材料的降解行为和表观活化能. 5%碱处理的复合材料热稳定性提高，表观活化能为249 kj/mol，比未处理的复合材料高16%. 纤维的成分和XPS（X射线光电子能谱）分析、复合材料的表征以及XRD（X射线衍射）分析也支持这些发现. 经过优化处理的纤维增强复合材料可用于半结构应用.

KEYWORDS:

• 关键词
• -转换
• 活化能
• 纤维素射线衍射
• 复合材料

KEYWORDS:

• Iso-conversional
• activation energy
• XPS
• cellulosic
• XRD
• composites

Acknowledgments

We are thankful to Dr. A.B. Wassie from Ethopia and Dr. Vimal Chandra Srivastava for providing raw material for this research work.