Suitability Evaluation of Mercerized Albizia Julibrissin Fiber as a Potential Reinforcement for Bio-composites

ABSTRACT

Natural fibers are currently used as a replacement for synthetic fibers in all possible applications. To enhance the natural fiber’s application suitability, it is necessary to perform alternations on the fiber’s surface using a treatment. The present work deals with the enrichment of various characteristics of Albizia julibrissin fibers extracted from Albizia julibrissin plant stem using mercerization process using 5 (W/V)% of sodium hydroxide solution at four various soaking periods (15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes). The chemical analysis results showed that 45 minutes of the soaking period showed enhanced cellulose content of 60.30%, which was slightly higher than other soaking periods. Thermal analysis showed that char residue was 32% with a maximum degradation temperature of 350.5°C. X-ray diffraction results showed 45 minutes mercerized Albizia julibrissin fibers had a higher crystalline index of 36.36%, while the untreated Albizia julibrissin fibers had 27.77%. Scanning electron microscope elucidated that mercerization process removed the unwanted dirt’s from the surface of Albizia julibrissin fibers; this can aid in better mechanical interlocking with the matrix upon its usage in polymer composites. These desirable things make optimal mercerized Albizia julibrissin fibers as a suitable reinforcement.

摘要

天然纤维目前在所有可能的应用中都被用作合成纤维的替代品.为了提高天然纤维的应用适应性, 有必要对纤维表面进行交替处理. 本研究采用丝光工艺, 在四个不同的浸泡时间 (15, 30, 45, 60分钟) 下, 使用5 (W/V) %的氢氧化钠溶液, 对从合欢茎中提取的合欢纤维的各种特性进行了富集. 化学分析结果表明, 浸泡45分钟后, 纤维素含量提高了60.30%, 略高于其他浸泡时间. 热分析表明, 残炭率为32%, 最高降解温度为350.5°C.X射线衍射结果表明, 丝光45分钟的合欢纤维结晶指数较高, 为36.36%, 而未经丝光处理的合欢纤维结晶指数为27.77%. 扫描电镜观察表明, 丝光处理去除了合欢纤维表面多余的污垢; 这有助于在聚合物复合材料中使用时更好地与基体进行机械联锁. 这些理想的东西使最佳丝光合欢纤维成为合适的增强材料.

KEYWORDS:

• Albizia julibrissin
• natural fiber
• mercerization
• sodium hydroxide solution
• soaking period

Keywords:

• 关键词
• 合欢
• 天然纤维
• 丝光
• 氢氧化钠溶液
• 浸泡期

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.