African Teff Straw as a Potential Reinforcement in Polymer Composites for Light-Weight Applications: Mechanical, Thermal, Physical, and Chemical Characterization before and after Alkali Treatment

ABSTRACT

The present study concerns the morphological, mechanical, thermal characterization and activation energy of African teff straw, a natural and almost inexpensive fiber as a potential reinforcement in polymer composites. The fiber is treated with different concentrations of alkali NaOH (5% and 10%) to improve the properties, and the effect has been observed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy(AFM), mechanical property tester, and thermogravimetric analysis. Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose method, and Friedman method have been used for calculation of activation energy of untreated and treated teff straw. There is an increase of approximately 31% (280–368 MPa) in tensile strength and 21% (136–164 kJ/mol) in average activation energy in case of 5% alkali-treated fiber compared to untreated one. This treated fiber can be recommended as a reinforcement in polymer composites for light-weight applications.

摘要

本文研究了天然且价格低廉的非洲Teff秸秆作为聚合物复合材料潜在增强材料的形态、力学、热性能和活化能。通过红外光谱(FTIR)、扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射、X射线衍射、原子力显微镜、机械p随机试验和热重分析。采用Flynn-.-Ozawa法(FWO)、Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose法(KAS法)和Friedman法计算了未经处理和处理的秸秆的活化能。与未经处理的纤维相比，经5%碱处理的纤维抗拉强度提高了约31%(280～368MPa)，平均活化能提高了21%(136KJ/mol～164KJ/mol)。这种处理过的纤维可作为聚合物复合材料的轻量应用中的增强剂。

KEYWORDS:

• Teff straw
• activation energy
• reinforcement
• alkali treated
• FTIR
• polymer composites

关键词:

• 稻草
• 活化能
• 加固
• 碱处理
• 傅立叶变换红外光谱法
• 聚合物复合材料