Recent Developments in Water Hyacinth Fiber Composites and Their Applications

Abstract

AbstractThe development of environmentally friendly composite materials continues to be carried out to reduce environmental pollution caused by synthetic fiber-based composites. It has resulted in the increasing need for natural fibers sourced from pineapple leaves, water hyacinth, hemp, cotton, and oil palm empty fruit bunches for automotive, packaging, electronic devices, biomedical and other applications. Water hyacinth fiber (WHF) is essential in developing natural fiber-based products with various biopolymer matrices. Water hyacinth is a free-floating aquatic plant that grows in tropical and subtropical. This plant is considered a weed because of its fast growth. So, currently, researchers are seeing many uses of this water hyacinth plant being converted into several cellulose-based products. This chapter review the extraction, characterization, and surface treatment of water hyacinth fiber into micro and nano cellulose and their use for biocomposites in various applications potential for commercialization. Evaluation of the physical properties of fibers (fiber composition, morphology, and single-cell dimensions) and water hyacinth fiber-reinforced polymer biocomposites will be discussed, along with the factors that influence them. Recent research of water hyacinth fiber reinforcement in thermoplastic, biodegradable and thermosetting is presented. Previous studies on the fabrication of natural fiber composites based on water hyacinth fiber, improved mechanical properties, thermal stability, and water vapor and gas resistance are discussed. Several recent research and developments have been proven and have not been produced for several commercial products that have been successfully made from the water hyacinth plant. Overall, this chapter provides preliminary data and information to continue future research of water hyacinth fibers and their biocomposites.KeywordsMechanical propertiesNatural fiberSurface treatmentWater hyacinth fiberWater hyacinth fiber-reinforced polymer biocomposites