Effect of enzyme and plasma treatments of bark cloth from Ficus natalensis: morphology and thermal behavior

Abstract

Bark cloth fabric has been in production in Uganda since the thirteenth century. In a move to preserve its cultural heritage, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed in 2005 that Ugandan bark cloth is a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” Plant fibers require surface treatment before aimed at impurity reduction and for enhancement of fiber to matrix adhesion in composites. An exploratory investigation of enzymatic and plasma treatment of bark cloth is reported. The morphology of the fabric was investigated using scanning electron microscope. Thermal behavior of the fabric was studied using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometer were used to evaluate the surface functional groups. Enzyme-treated fabrics were cleaner and thermally stable compared to plasma and untreated fabrics.