Effects of Pre-treatments on the Oil Palm EFB Fibers

Abstract

The empty fruit bunch fibers(EFB) of oil palm were examined for optimal utilization of the EFB fibers. The EFB fibers were obtained by shredding EFB, followe by removal of fines. The surface properties of the fibers were modified with various pre-treatments, such as hot water extraction, the soaking treatments with NaOH, <TEX>$ClO_2$</TEX> and n-hexane. The changes in the fiber surface were examined with FT-IR method, which showed the changes in chemical compositions such as pectin, lignin, and etc. according to the pre-treatment methods. And the z-directional tensile testing of the fiber mold made of the treated EFB fibers showed the changes in the bonding strength by the pre-treatments. The fiber mold made of EFB fibers treated with <TEX>$ClO_2$</TEX> showed the greater increase in the tensile energy absorption although the NaOH treatment resulted in the severer impact on the EFB fibers.