Natural fiber composites as sustainable resources for emerging applications- a review

Abstract

Since synthetic fibers have been polluting the environment for a long time, researchers are searching for better environmentally friendly replacements like natural fibers. Natural fibers refer to the fibers obtained from plants and animals. Natural fibers such as bamboo, hemp, jute and oil palm can potentially replace synthetic fibers to produce biodegradable and lightweight composites with improved mechanical properties. These mechanical properties can be enhanced using certain chemical modifications. Also, the morphology of these fibers can be modified using various chemical treatments that promote better mechanical interlocking. This review describes the properties of natural fibers such as jute, bamboo, oil palm, and hemp along with the latest potential applications to develop sustainability and commercial values. The production of green composites from natural fibers is a promising area, and their uses in 3D and 4D printing are also characterized here. Through this paper, we have analysed the importance of choosing a more sustainable solution like a natural fiber than opting for a non-biodegradable synthetic fiber that causes inevitable hazards to the environment and their applications. In order to improve environmentally friendly products and replace synthetic fibres with effective and affordable alternatives, this study discusses the diverse properties and most recent prospective applications of natural fibres in various commercial industries. This demonstrates that natural fibers, which are a non-polluting, safe, renewable, and legitimate source of fiber, will be widely employed for the manufacturing of composites in the upcoming years.