Characterization of Untreated and Alkalized Eichhornia Crassipes Fibers and Its Composites

Abstract

In this study, Eichhornia crassipes fibers (ECF) were treated in the 5% (w/v) NaOH for 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. The evaluation of chemical composition clearly concluded that 5% (w/v) NaOH solution with 60 min treating period optimally modified the chemical constitution of the ECF. The outcomes of chemical analysis, Fourier transform infrared analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy proved the reduction in the hemicellulose fraction (9.65–6.98 wt.%) of the optimally alkalized ECF. An increase in the cellulose degradation temperature (319.5–328.1°C) and kinetic activation energy (66.324–69.576 kJ/mol) of the optimally alkalized ECF was documented by thermal analysis. Surface topographies of untreated and optimally alkalized ECF were inspected by the atomic force microscopic analysis, which established the modifications in the surface roughness of the alkalized ECF. The mechanical characterization outcomes of ECF-reinforced composites expressed that 20 wt.% alkalized ECF with 80 wt.% epoxy is the appropriate configuration to develop lightweight applications.

Keywords

• 凤眼莲纤维
• 碱化
• 热分析
• 表面粗糙度
• 环氧复合材料
• 机械性能
• 扫描电镜分析