Date Palm Nanofibres and Composites

Abstract

Over the last decades, the development of renewable resources of fibres was intensified, which amplified the market request of such a raw material. This is due to three potential advantages associated with these natural substances, namely: very cheap, bio-renewable and their availability in large quantities with various varieties forms. This chapter is devoted to the discussion of the potential valorization of the date palm waste to prepare fibres and nanofibres. This agricultural waste has lately noticed considerable attention, as an important source to produce cellulosic fibres, especially in forest-poor regions. The morphologies features, the chemical composition of date palm and their comparison with different lignocellulosic fibres sources are described. Then, the delignification methods and characterization of fibres from date palm are also presented. Finally, the preparation of nanocellulose (Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cellulose nanofibres (CNF)) and their use as nanofibre-reinforced nanocomposite materials will be detailed and discussed.