Effect of Nanoclay Particle Infusion on Thermal Properties of Selected Untreated and Mercerized Plant Fibers

ABSTRACT

The objective of this work is to improve the thermal properties of natural fibers by infusing thermally stable alumina-silicate clay nanoparticle into the fibers by physical infusion method. Four commonly used natural fibers were selected, namely, banana, coir, kenaf, and sisal fibers. Nanoclay particles were infused into these fibers at untreated and mercerized (NaOH-treated) stages. The distribution of nanoclay on fiber surface is examined by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Nanoclay distribution is better in NaOH-treated fiber when compared with untreated fiber. Thermal properties such as mass loss, thermal decomposition, and flame retardance was evaluated for all fiber series. Thermal degradation kinetics of untreated and treated fiber series is examined by using Coats-Redfern method. The outcome of the result shows that the thermal properties of nanoclay infusion in NaOH-treated fibers are fairly consistent across all types of tested fibers. Nanoclay infusion into the fibers improved mass gain, decomposition, and flame retardance properties.

摘要

本研究的目的是通过物理注入法将热稳定的硅酸铝粘土纳米颗粒注入天然纤维中,以改善天然纤维的热性能. 选择了四种常用的天然纤维,即香蕉、椰子、红麻和剑麻纤维. 在未处理和丝光 (NaOH处理)阶段,将纳米粘土颗粒注入这些纤维中. 利用扫描电子显微镜 (SEM) 研究了纳米粘土在纤维表面的分布. 与未处理纤维相比,NaOH处理纤维中的纳米粘土分布更好. 评估了所有纤维系列的热性能,如质量损失、热分解和阻燃性. 采用Coats-Redfern法研究了未经处理和处理的纤维系列的热降解动力学. 结果表明,在所有类型的测试纤维中,NaOH处理纤维中注入纳米粘土的热性能相当一致. 向纤维中注入纳米粘土可提高质量增益、分解和阻燃性能.

KEYWORDS:

• Natural fibers
• surface treatments
• nanoclay
• thermal properties
• decomposition
• degradation kinetics

关键词:

• 天然纤维
• 表面处理
• 纳米粘土
• 热性能
• 分解
• 降解动力学

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding supported provided by National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa (Grant numbers: 132582 and 119779).

Disclosure Statement

The authors have no declaration of interest to report in publishing this research article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation, South Africa [119779,132582].