Advancements in natural fiber composites: Innovative chemical surface treatments, characterizaton techniques, environmental sustainability, and wide-ranging applications

Abstract

Natural fiber composites (NFCs) are increasingly recognized as sustainable and environmentally beneficial substitutes for traditional materials. The present study discusses chemical surface treatments that promote the adhesion of natural fibers and hydrophobic matrices, resulting in improved mechanical characteristics. The review aims to examine different chemical treatments, evaluate their influence on fiber qualities, and estimate the environmental consequences of NFCs using a life cycle assessment (LCA). It includes characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of newly discovered fibers like acai, guaruman, and corn straw, and examines treatments like bromodecane, lime, and tannic acid, which improves adherence between fiber and matrices, providing better tensile, flexion, and impact intensity. Additionally, it examines the environmental benefits of NFCs, stressing their lower carbon footprint compared to synthetic composites. Critical data reveal that while chemical treatments considerably increase NFC performance, treatment choice must be adjusted to individual applications to combine mechanical qualities and environmental sustainability. This study broadens the knowledge of NFCs and provides routes for future research to build more efficient and eco-friendly composites with applications spanning the construction, automotive, and packaging sectors.

Keywords

• Natural fibers
• Surface treatments
• Chemical treatments
• Environmental impact