Abstract
Natural fibers have proven to be excellent reinforcing agents in composite materials. However, a critical disadvantage of natural fibers is their hydrophilic nature. In this study, banana trunk fibers were mechanically damaged using a high-speed blender, and the resulting fibers (MDBTF) were treated with (i) stearic acid (SAMDBTF) and (ii) calcium carbonate coated with 5% (wt/wt) stearic acid (SACCMDBTF). The moisture sorption, oil sorption and thermal properties of the fibers were determined. The morphology, roughness and the functional groups present were also investigated. Study data of the present study indicate that SACCMDBTF exhibited a faster oil sorption capacity than SAMDBTF. Fast uptake of the oil occurred during the first 5 min, whereby the quantity of oil sorbed in SAMDBTF and SACCMDBTF was 5.5 and 15.0 g oil g−1 fiber, respectively. The results of a used engine oil uptake study revealed that SAMDBTF and SACCMDBTF sorbed 9.5 and 18.3 g/g-1 fiber, respectively, at equilibrium. The obtained results suggest that the mechanically damaged process improved the thermal stability of the fibers. This work reveals that the inclusion of stearic-acid-coated calcium carbonate into the interstices of MDBTF yields is environmentally safe for green hydrophobic composites. SACCMDBTF are used as efficient adsorbents for the removal of spilled oil on aqueous media.
Highlights
Recent decades have witnessed the extensive use of plant fibers as reinforcing agents in composites
This paper compares the results of the present study with those of previous studies to show the efficacy of BTF as a green composite exhibiting good oil absorption capacity in the form of stearic-acid-treated, mechanically damaged banana trunk fibers (SAMDBTF) and calcium carbonate coated with 5% (w/w) stearic acid MDBTF (SACCMDBTF)
Moisture sorption capacity was found to increase in the order of SAMDBTF (1.1%) < SACCMDBTF (1.8%) < MDBTF (6.0%) ≤ BTF (6.1%)
Summary
Recent decades have witnessed the extensive use of plant fibers as reinforcing agents in composites. High moisture sorption capacities of natural fibers adversely affect fiber/matrix interface interactions, resulting in material degradation that leads to the loss of strength of the manufactured composites [13]. Composites containing “wet” and “complex” treated CaCO3 exhibit higher tensile strength when compared to composites including “dry” treated CaCO3 This is due to the enhanced stearate adsorption density caused by the “wet” and “complex” treatment methods, which improves the interfacial contact between matrix and filler. This paper compares the results of the present study with those of previous studies to show the efficacy of BTF as a green composite exhibiting good oil absorption capacity in the form of stearic-acid-treated, mechanically damaged banana trunk fibers (SAMDBTF) and calcium carbonate coated with 5% (w/w) stearic acid MDBTF (SACCMDBTF)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
