Effects of alkaline treatment on the properties of pineapple (Ananas Comosus) leaf fiber (Palf) reinforced with tapioca-based bio resin (Cassava Starch)

Abstract

The poor compatibility of natural fibers with hydrophobic matrices due to their hydrophilic nature has led researchers to improve their properties to enable better compatibility. Pineapple leaf fiber is one of the abundantly available natural fibers obtained from pineapple leaf. It has good chemical properties and strong admirable mechanical properties and can be used as a replacement for synthetic fibers despite the same deficiencies as other natural fibers. In this study, Pineapple leaf fiber was treated with Alkali at varying concentrations, temperatures, and times. Treated pineapple leaf fiber was reinforced with tapioca-based bio resin (cassava starch). This fiber was subjected to tensile testing and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results of FTIR indicated the various peaks in the absorbance versus wave number relation. The FTIR analysis of untreated pineapple leaf fiber indicated the presence of O-H stretch, N-H stretch, C ≡ stretch, C=O stretch, and H-C-H bond. The modification of fibers achieved by disruption of hydrogen bonding in the network structure was possible due to its treatment with alkali. Mechanical testing (tensile test) and FTIR were also used to know the effects of chemical treatment on the fibers. Alkali treatment improved the fiber properties as the concentration, temperature, and treatment time increased.