Insights into the effects of alkaline treatment and soaking duration on the properties of pterocarpus angolensis (mukwa) wood fibers

Abstract

This work is focused on finding an ecological and economic soaking duration suitable for natural fibers, and in the process obtaining the best possible mukwa wood fibers for manufacturing polymeric composites. Waste mukwa wood fibers found in the semi-arid conditions of Botswana were subjected to 5 wt% NaOH at soaking durations of 1.5 h, 2.5 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, and 24 h. The effect of soaking duration and alkaline treatment on the chemical components, crystallinity, surface morphology, character of molecular bonds, and thermal stability were studied through weight loss, chemical composition, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) respectively. The results of this study found the 2.5 h soaking duration to be more economic, time saving, and effective in modifying mukwa wood fibers.