Comparison of chemically surface treated Luffa cylindrica using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

Abstract

The world as we probably know is currently facing a big difficulty referred as environmental pollution. Researchers from around the globe have been working on biodegradable materials in order to reduce the overall consequences due to environmental pollution. Furthermore, biodegradable composites also known as green composites made using natural fibers are highly considered over non-green synthetic fiber composites. Additionally, natural fibers are low in cost, have good mechanical properties, biodegradability and require less production energy. Focus of this research paper was on one of the natural fibers, Luffa cylindrica (LC). There are plenty of surface treatments available including chemical and mechanical surface treatments. However, the focus of this paper was on chemical surface treatments. Sodium hydroxide, silane and acetylation chemical surface treatments were utilized. Chemically surface treated LC was compared with untreated LC with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). With the help of SEM, it was observed that all of the chemical surface treatments were effective. Furthermore, it was also noticed that each of the chemical surface treatment affected LC differently. However, sodium hydroxide surface treated LC samples showed the best outcome by removing waxy impurities as well as voids from the surface of LC.