Sustainable Treatments of Pineapple Leaf Fibers for Polylactic Acid Based Biocomposites

ABSTRACT

Sustainable composite materials based on biopolymers and natural fibers have attracted remarkable consideration globally due to their tremendous potential for a variety of applications. However, the poor compatibility among the natural fibers and biopolymers causes the reduced mechanical properties of the biocomposites, limiting their application spectrum and acting as one of the major barriers to commercialization. Therefore, surface modification of fibers using chemicals has been explored by several authors. However, most of the chemicals used are hazardous to the environment when used commercially. In the current investigation, sustainable chemicals (sodium bicarbonate and borax) were used to modify the surface of the pineapple leaf fibers (PALFs). Untreated and treated PALF/polylactic acid biocomposites were manufactured using the commercial-scale injection molding machine. The selected chemical treatment strategies were found to be efficient for improving the strength, crystallinity, and thermal properties of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF). An improved adhesion among the fibers and matrix, enhanced strength (tensile, flexural, and impact), and modulus (tensile and flexural) of the biocomposites were also recorded after the treatment. A robust structure-property linkage for PALF and their biocomposites has also been developed.

摘要

基于生物聚合物和天然纤维的可持续复合材料因其在各种应用方面的巨大潜力, 在全球范围内引起了广泛的关注. 然而, 天然纤维和生物聚合物之间的兼容性差导致生物复合材料的机械性能降低, 限制了其应用范围, 并成为商业化的主要障碍之一. 因此, 一些作者已经探索了使用化学品对纤维进行表面改性. 然而, 大多数使用的化学品在商业上使用时对环境有害. 在目前的研究中, 使用可持续性化学品 (碳酸氢钠和硼砂) 对菠萝叶纤维 (PALF) 的表面进行改性. 未经处理和处理的PALF/聚乳酸生物复合材料使用商业规模的注塑机制造. 所选择的化学处理策略对于提高菠萝叶纤维 (PALF) 的强度, 结晶度和热性能是有效的. 处理后, 纤维和基质之间的附着力得到改善, 生物复合材料的强度 (拉伸, 弯曲和冲击) 和模量 (拉伸和弯曲) 也得到提高. 还开发了PALF及其生物复合材料的稳健结构-性能链接.

KEYWORDS:

• Pineapple leaf fiber
• polylactic acid
• sustainable
• chemical treatment
• biocomposites
• mechanical properties

关键词:

• 菠萝叶纤维
• 聚乳酸
• 可持续的
• 化学处理
• 生物复合材料
• 机械性能

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Mr. Tejas Pramod Naik and Mr. Sandeep Gairola from the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering of Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee for their help in performing the fiber bundle strength test.

Highlights

• Borax, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium permanganate were used for the surface modification of pineapple leaf fibers.

• The influence of chemical treatment on pineapple leaf fibers’ physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical characteristics and the mechanical performance of biocomposites has been investigated.

• The adhesion among the fibers and matrix improves with chemical concentration (for borax) and treatment time (sodium bicarbonate).

• The interfacial adhesion strongly correlates with the mechanical (tensile, flexural, and impact) performance of the developed biocomposites.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).