Abstract
Abstract The effect of steam explosion coupled with chemical treatment, on the surface properties of banana fibres obtained from the pseudo-stem of banana plant Musa sapientum was studied in detail by inverse gas chromatography (IGC). IGC experiments were performed in banana fibres from macro to nano stages at 293, 298 and 303 K. The analyzed fibres showed dispersive component of the surface energy between 39.59 and 48.03 mJ/m2, at 298 K. The interaction between the fibres and the high and low DN/AN* probes indicate the presence of both acidic and basic active sites on the fibres surface. The values of Ka and Kb suggest that predominantly basic active sites are involved in the specific adsorption process in the nanofibres. During the thermochemical treatment, changes occur in the arrangement of macromolecular chains with the reduction of dispersive groups and the increase in some polar groups. This susceptibility of the surface to change its acid–base characteristics combined with a change in dispersive properties enhance the possibility of specific intermolecular interactions with different solvents, plasticizers, polymers or fillers, which is important to the practical applications of the nanofibres.
Highlights
Cellulose is the major reinforcing ingredient in plant cell walls
The pseudo-stem banana fibres extracted from M. sapientum was subjected to steam explosion coupled with alkali treatment and acid hydrolysis in order to obtain the nanofibres
The production of banana cellulose nanofibres by steam explosion coupled with chemical treatment with alkali, bleaching and acid, were studied using inverse gas chromatography (IGC)
Summary
Cellulose is the major reinforcing ingredient in plant cell walls. The presence of this constituent as allied poly-(1,4)-d-glucan molecules in extended chain conformation assembled into nanofibres contributes to the high modulus and tensile strength of the fibres. Despite the excellent inherent properties of cellulose, the use of materials and products from cellulose tends to be motivated mainly by low cost and due to its environmentally friendly nature. Even in the light of the recent interest in biocomposite materials, cellulose tends to be viewed as “filler” and it usually embrittles the polymer matrix. To fully realize the potential of cellulose it should be used as a nanostructured high-performance constituent in the form of nanofibres towards environmentally friendly composites
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