Abstract
This work investigated the effect of maleic anhydride (MA)-modified poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which is melt-blended with different untreated and aqueous borax (BR)-treated hybrid oil palm empty fruit bunch fibers (EFBF)/Kenaf core fibers (KCF), and compression-molded into corresponding hybrid biocomposites. These hybrid systems includes BR-treated EFBF/BR-treated KCF reinforced MA-modified PLA i.e., BR(EFBF-KCF)-MAPLA, BR-treated EFBF/BR-treated KCF reinforced unmodified PLA i.e., BR(EFBF-KCF)-PLA, untreated EFBF/untreated KCF reinforced MA-modified PLA i.e., EFBF-KCF-MAPLA, and untreated EFBF/untreated KCF reinforced unmodified PLA i.e., EFBF-KCF-PLA respectively. Characterizations of the hybrid systems revealed that optimal mechanical, physical, morphological, thermal and dynamic mechanical properties were provided by the BR(EFBF-KCF)-MAPLA, resulting from improved interface adhesion, consequent of the synergistic influence of BR treatment of natural fibers, and the compatibilization effect provided by the MA-modified PLA. The grafting degree and efficiency of MA onto the PLA backbone was appreciable, as indicated by direct titration, and through monitoring using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR); thus the MA-modified PLA facilitated the formation of strong interface adhesion with the BR-treated hybrid fibers. The BR(EFBF-KCF)-MAPLA showed promising properties for usage as a bio-inspired, and sustainable alternative fiberboard article.
Highlights
Polymer biocomposites have attracted growing research interest in relation to the utilization of naturally occurring lignocellulosic fibers and bio-based polymer matrices
The influence of maleic anhydride (MA)-modified poly(lactic acid) (PLA) on the mechanical, physical, thermal, dynamic mechanical and morphological properties of its hybrid biocomposites reinforced with BR-treated empty fruit bunch fiber (EFBF)/Kenaf core fiber (KCF) were investigated, and the test results are presented and discussed in the succeeding subsections
The PLA reacts with BPO, where deprotonation occur and PLA macroradicals (PLA*) are generated
Summary
Polymer biocomposites have attracted growing research interest in relation to the utilization of naturally occurring lignocellulosic fibers and bio-based polymer matrices. Wood fibers and agro-based fibers such as bast and stem (e.g., hemp, jute, Kenaf etc.), leaf (e.g., banana, pineapple, sisal etc.), seed (oil palm, cotton etc.) are the commonly known fibers in the natural fiber based polymer composite industries [2]. The oil palm tree is a major economic crop in southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. It is produced in large quantity in India and Latin America. The cultivation of oil palm plantation is commercially in large quantities, making the aforementioned countries the major producers in the world. Other oil palm producing countries include Columbia, Ecuador, Nigeria, Ivory
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