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

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.