Investigation of mechanical and thermo-mechanical characteristics of silane-treated cellulose nanofibers from agricultural waste reinforced epoxy adhesive composites

Abstract

The issue of deforestation has been of considerable concern in recent years. So as to contribute to a solution to this problem a major aim of this study has been to develop a sustainable environment by using agricultural industry waste in structural applications rather than wood. By this way, the study employed cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) derived from red banana empty fruit bunches to solve issues related to landfill gas emissions and the simultaneous utilization of organic wastes. The impact of silane treatment on the physicochemical, thermal, and morphological properties of CNFs was examined. Compression moulding was utilized to make different loading levels of silane-treated CNFs (SCNFs) reinforced epoxy nanocomposites. The resultant nanocomposites were evaluated by using various physical, mechanical, thermal, and micro-structural characterization tests. Properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, glass transition temperature, micro-hardness, thermal stability, and so forth, were evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the size and distribution patterns of the SCNFs in an epoxy matrix. Coefficient of effectiveness, cole-cole plots, and cross-link density studies confirmed the adhesion behavior of SCNFs with epoxy resin as a function of SCNF loading. All the findings led to the conclusion that the SCNF reinforced epoxy composites would make suitable materials for lightweight structural applications.