Coir Fiber Research Articles

Performance evaluation and economic analysis of solar stills made of coir and Bambusa vulgaris fiber reinforced composite and vertical basin approach: a comparative study

Performance evaluation and economic analysis of solar stills made of coir and Bambusa vulgaris fiber reinforced composite and vertical basin approach: a comparative study

Assessment on Effectiveness of Geopolymer Stabilization of Arunachal Pradesh’s Peat Soil Reinforced with Coir Fiber: An Experimental Study

Assessment on Effectiveness of Geopolymer Stabilization of Arunachal Pradesh’s Peat Soil Reinforced with Coir Fiber: An Experimental Study

Mechanical and micro-structural characterization of biodegradable coir fiber–glass sheet–charcoal reinforced polymer composite: an experimental approach

In the present investigation, the combined influence of coir, glass fibers and charcoal content on the mechanical properties of epoxy-based hybrid composites has been explored, providing insights for the potential development of advanced materials with tailored performance characteristics. Through a systematic analysis of the mechanical properties (tensile strength, Young's modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and Brinell hardness number), various composite formulations were evaluated to discern their performance characteristics. The study reveals significant variations in mechanical properties across different composite configurations, highlighting the critical role of fiber type and charcoal content in determining the materials’ performance. Notably, composites featuring alternating layers of glass and coir fibers exhibit superior tensile and flexural strengths, underscoring the synergistic effects of hybridization. Conversely, the introduction of charcoal as a reinforcement agent leads to deterioration in the mechanical properties, indicating a trade-off between the reinforcement and other desirable attributes. These findings offer valuable insights for the strategic design and engineering of advanced materials tailored to specific applications, paving the way for the development of high-performance epoxy-based hybrid composites with enhanced mechanical properties and durability.

PRODUCTION AND EXPORT PERFORMANCE OF COIR PRODUCTS IN INDIA

The coir sector is an important agro-based industry in India that plays an important role in employment opportunities and economic development. India is the world's largest producer and exporter of coir and coir products, exporting coir and its products to more than a hundred countries. It is the by-product of coconut's outer shell, which is used to produce coir fiber, coir yarn, different mats, mating rugs, non-woven products, non-woven mats, coir geo-textiles, coir pith, garden articles, curled coir, needle felt, hand knotted netting, coir ply articles, coir braid, coir rope, coir tea leaf bags, coir brushes, lunch bags, office bags, chapels, pouches, and many more. It is a 100 percent natural and biodegradable product that helps to store water molecules in soil to improve its fertility. The aim of the study is to determine the trend in production of coir fiber and its products in India and to know the export performance of coir fiber and its products in India during the last ten years. According to the study release, there are good opportunities in the world market for the coir products. KEY WORDS: coir fiber, coir products, production, exports, value, countries etc.

Synergetic Combination of Bio‐Electrolytes and Bio‐Fluidic Channels as a Novel Resource of Sustainable Energy

AbstractExploration for sustainable energy resources is essential to minimize the dependence on fossil fuels and to improve environmental parameters. Here, the possibility of utilizing bio‐waste‐derived electrolytes as an electrical energy resource by placing them across semipermeable membranes prepared through parallel stacking of coir fibers is examined. The nanofluidic membrane (d‐CF‐V) prepared by modifying the inner walls of the bio‐fluidic channels with atomically thin layers of vanadium pentoxide (VO) shows excellent perm‐selectivity (t+ = 0.87, with 1000‐fold concentration difference) and electricity conversion efficiency (≈ 28.2%). With simulated sea and river water, the d‐CF‐V yields output energy up to 2.4 W m−2, similarly with mineral acid bases (0.5 m HCl and 0.01 m NaOH), the d‐CF‐V shows an energy output of 11.8 W m−2. The sun‐dried Garcinia morella (Kuji thekera), and charred peels of Musa balbisiana (banana) are used as sustainable sources of bio‐electrolytes, which in combination with permselective d‐CF‐V yielded a power density of ≈1.4 W m−2. By replacing standard Ag/AgCl electrodes with nanomaterials exhibiting contrasting charge transfer activities, oxidized carbon nanotube membrane (o‐CNT) and polyaniline (PANI) membrane the output voltage is enhanced from –127 to –568 mV and current output is increased from 10.2 to 51.5 µA.

Silica surface modification using cellulose as a renewable organosilane derived from coconut coir fiber for carbon capture

The properties of silica surface modification for carbon capture were studied, utilizing cellulose-amine as a modification agent derived from dissolved coconut coir fiber. To form bonds with NH2 functional groups through amination processes, cellulosic biomass waste is utilized, which is analogous to replacing alkoxy ligands. The dual-function mixture reagents dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) were employed in the same system as the amine sources and solvents. Waterglass is used as a source of silica, and the modified particles are formed using a one-step consecutive sol-gel spray drying process used in a direct condensation route. Changes in the concentration of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) were examined to determine how they affected the essential parameters of the particles. The template is removed during particle formation without further physical or chemical processing. The particle morphology changed from donut-shaped to spherical after SLS application, as evidenced by the increase in SLS concentration. This also shows that the increase in the particle surface area is directly influenced by the increase in the formation of new pore structures with increasing SLS concentration. Through this mechanism, it is possible to extend the pore size distribution to the meso-macropore regime and initiate the formation of new mesopores. This has a direct impact on the capacity to absorb CO2 gas by increasing the cellulose-amine mass fraction that can be grafted to as high as 32.35 %wt. At an operating pressure of 6 bar, a maximum CO2 gas adsorption capacity of 5.32 mmol/g silica was attained by adding SLS 3 CMC to the silica particles. This value is 2.3 times higher than that obtained when using an aminosilane-based modification agent.

Coir ropes as a low-tech circular alternative to synthetic ropes in French Polynesia pearl farming

Local coir rope production utilises waste from copra cultivation and could provide a natural alternative to synthetic ropes in French Polynesia’s pearl farming industry. This research aimed to enhance the understanding of coir rope production for pearl farming in the region. Initially, the mechanical properties of coconut fibres were analysed, as well as the construction of ropes made from these fibres. To determine the impact of retting on the mechanical properties of ropes and to assess the relevance of this process, ropes with different retting times in seawater and/or freshwater were tested. A life cycle analysis was also conducted to compare the benefits of locally producing a coir fibre rope versus importing a commercial HDPE rope. Results showed that retting did not significantly affect rope mechanical properties, this polluting process could then be avoided. However, the braiding processwe used to make the ropes was proven to influence both mechanical properties and water resistance. It should then be optimised to have coir ropes with higher strength and mechanical properties retention in water, which would also improve their environmental performance, and make them suitable for use as ropes in pearl farming in French Polynesia.

Assessment of mechanical and thermal properties of hybrid co-woven biofiber polymer composites

The recent research explores the hybridizing effect of inter and intra woven natural engineering fibers in epoxy composites. The inter and intra woven brown flax (Fb), white flax (Fw), and jute (J) fabrics have been comingled with short coir fibers (SCF). The composites are successfully made using the hand layup procedure, and the successive arrangement of fabrics is based on the tensile characteristics of inter and intra-woven fabrics. The physical, thermal, and mechanical characteristics of composites are experimentally studied. The C1 composite having (Fb+Fw)/Fw/J/J/Fw/(Fb+Fw) fabric sequence without filler demonstrated highest tensile strength of 30.15 MPa, elastic modulus of 2164.59 MPa, flexural strength of 66.46 MPa, and flexural modulus of 3900.74 MPa. However, the C3 composite containing SCF filler, having a similar fabric sequence as that of C1 demonstrated highest impact strength of 116.52 KJ/m2. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the composite C3 exhibited better thermal stability than other hybrid patterns. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy study confirmed the interaction of hydrogen bonds with different polymers, matrices, and fillers. Further, microstructural and fractography analysis have been done to analyze the surface phenomena of the composites and mechanical failure analysis.

Influence of Agro-Industrial Waste on Unconfined Compression Strength Parameters of Expansive Soil: An Experimental Investigation

Expansive soils pose a significant challenge in construction due to their potential to cause structural damage through its swelling and shrinking characteristics. Simultaneously, the disposal of numerous industrial and agricultural wastes poses challenges that contribute to environmental ecosystem damage. This experimental study explores the effect of agro-industrial waste on the mechanical properties of expansive soil. Specifically, the impact of incorporating agro-industrial waste materials, such as bagasse ash, plastic strips, and coir fiber, is investigated through assessments of unconfined compression strength. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test was conducted to examine various parameters of different combinations involving expansive soil, bagasse ash, coir fiber, and plastic strips. The results demonstrated notable improvements in Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS), particularly when incorporating a specific combination of 10% Bagasse Ash, 0.5% Plastic Strips, and 0.75% Coir Fiber) which resulted in a remarkable 49% increase in UCS. The findings show that including plastic strips enhances UCS by 2%, Coir Fiber improves it by 5%, and a combination of Bagasse Ash, plastic strips, and Coir Fiber leads to a 7% increase in UCS. The study on incorporating agro-industrial waste materials, such as bagasse ash, plastic strips, and coir fiber, reveals substantial improvements in the mechanical properties of expansive soil. This study contributes to the sustainable utilization of agro-industrial waste for soil improvement, offering a promising avenue for eco-friendly geotechnical solutions. Future work could explore the long-term performance and scalability of these materials in various soil conditions.

Influence of shear strength parameters on loose fine sand treated with coir fiber and microbially induced calcite precipitation

In recent years, there has been an increasing use of Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) technology in ground improvement. Adding fiber to bio-cemented sand leads to significant improvements in its properties. This paper examines how coir fiber and microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) might be used to improve the engineering qualities of fine sand. The sand was mixed with Coir fiber at varying Fiber Contents (FC) of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5% by weight of sand. Additionally, varied Aspect Ratios (AR) of 45, 90, 136, 182, and 227 were considered. The mixture also included urease-producing bacteria (Sporosarcina Pasteurii), as well as solutions of urea and calcium chloride with 3M molarity. The untreated and treated sand samples were submitted to a Direct Shear Test (DST). The study found that the shear strength parameters, such as the angle of internal friction, increased by 1.1 times compared to standard fine sand. Additionally, the angle of internal friction (ϕ) of fiber-reinforced sand with MICP showed 1.4 times increase, while the cohesion values demonstrated a sixfold increase compared to MICP fine sand. It was determined that the optimal aspect ratio was 182, and the optimal fiber content was 0.3%. Moreover, the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was utilized to examine the calcite formations present in the treated sand samples, and calcite precipitation was observed between the pores of the soils.

Coir Fibre-Reinforced Concrete for Enhanced Compressive Strength and Sustainability in Construction Applications

This research explores the potential of coir fibre as a sustainable and effective reinforcement material to enhance the compressive strength (CS) of concrete. The influence of the fibre volume fraction (FVF) and fibre length (FL) on the CS of the coir fibre reinforced concrete was studied using the response surface method (RSM). The selected range for the FVF was from 4% to 12%, and the FL varied from 0.4 cm to 1.2 cm, as per the experimental design. The research determined that the coir fibre with an FVF of 4% and an FL of 10 mm yielded the maximum CS for the reinforced concrete cubes, measuring 34 N/mm2. Furthermore, an increase in fibre content was observed to lead to a decrease in the workability of coir fibre-reinforced concrete. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses of the control and coir fibres extracted from the concrete cubes after a period of 1 year indicated no significant changes in the functional properties, thermal properties and crystallinity of the fibres.

Compressive strength study of fibre reinforced concrete

Abstract Materials play a vital role in the development of human life. Environmental and sustainable development concerns have seriously affected the development and applications of materials. Due to the advancement of rapid growth, it leads to the utilization of more materials, which leads to the depletion of natural materials. So, this leads the researchers to focus on the materials that have less impact on the environment. This study focuses on the compressive strength-based study of M30-grade fiber-reinforced concrete, partially replacing cement with flyash, fine aggregate with cocopeat, and adding coir fiber as a fiber. In recent times, there has been a tremendous increase in the usage of several natural fibers because of their low cost, ease of processing, and environmental friendliness. Due to their availability and eco friendliness, they are used in the development of fiber-reinforced concrete to improve its strength. The experiment entails casting and curing of different concrete mixtures for 3, 7, and 28 days with varying percentages of coconut fiber and cocopeat, 30% replacement of cement with flyash, and performing compressive strength tests in accordance with IS standards. Test results show adding 1% of coir fiber attains more strength in comparison with normal concrete and concrete with partial replacement of cement with fly ash and fine aggregate with cocopeat.

Influence of nano industrial waste and short coir fiber filler on hybrid inter and intra yarn bio fiber composites

Bio-polymer composites are emerging as a feasible substitute for conventional polymers in various major fields of applications. In the current research, the impact of hybridization of inter and intra-woven natural engineering fibers namely, brown flax, white flax, and jute of different amalgamations along with commingled SCF and novel nano IW filler has been studied. The composites are manufactured by hand layup process and physical and thermomechanical characteristics of the composites are experimentally studied. The composites mingled with IW filler demonstrated better dimensional stability and mechanical properties such as maximum tensile strength of 36.74 MPa, bending strength of 82.53 MPa, and hardness of 84.89 D compared to other composites. However, elastic and flexural modulus are maximum for composite without any filler. The composites mingled with SCF filler demonstrated the highest impact strength, energy absorption, and elongation. Thermogravimetric analysis and thermal conductivity study demonstrated that the composite with SCF filler exhibited better thermal stability and thermal resistance than the other hybrid composites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study confirms the interaction of hydrogen bonds with different polymers, matrices, and fillers. It is established that the weaving pattern and the filler types greatly influences the mechanical and thermal characteristics of the composites. Filler addition and fabric hybridization optimizes the catastrophic failures and enhances the thermal stability, hence becoming more suitable for small interior structural components in aerospace and automobile applications.

A study of the effect of coconut fiber on reinforced concrete beams subjected to combined bending and shear

This review paper examines the impact of coconut fiber reinforcement on the behavior of reinforced concrete beams subjected to combined bending and shear. Coconut fibers, also known as coir fibers, are a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional steel reinforcement. The use of coconut fibers in concrete has shown promise in enhancing the ductility, energy absorption capacity, fracture resistance, and durability of concrete structures. The study highlights the mechanical properties and applications of coconut fiber reinforced concrete (CFRC) and investigates the effects of varying fiber content on concrete performance. Factors affecting the properties of fiber-reinforced concrete, such as the relative fiber matrix index, volume of fibers, aspect ratio of fibers, fiber orientation, workability, compaction, size of coarse aggregate, and mixing techniques, are also discussed. Understanding these factors is crucial for designing and constructing durable and sustainable concrete structures.

Optimalisasi Rancang Bangun Mesin Mobile Husk Decorticator (Pengupas Tapas Mampu Pindah) untuk Mengolah Tapas Kelapa

A tool called the "Moveable Tapas Peeler" or Mobile Husk Decorticator is used to beat or pound the coconut tapas. This method breaks down the coconut fiber (coconut fiber) and peat (coco peat), which is the fiber created when the coconut tapas is decomposed. Peat is the remaining powder left over from the processed coconut tapas. The purpose of this research is to modify the prototype machine that was previously made because of the unmet production capacity needs and to test the process of modifying the coconut fiber processing by the machine. After the performance of the coconut tapas processing machine has been improved, the machine is expected to be able to achieve production goals, becoming 1) 100 kg / hour; 2) 30 kg / hour of coir fiber production (cocofiber); 3) 70 kg / hour of peat production (cocopeat). The refinement process is based on the Pahl & Beitz design methodology. Working drawings, machine requirements, materials, component standards, and assembly processes determine the machine manufacturing process. The condition of the coconut fiber (dry or soaked) is one of the test factors studied. The crusher speed is 900 rpm and 1260 rpm. This research method is research and development (R & D). The data collection techniques in this study are literature study and observation. The results of the experiment on the coconut processing machine test showed promising performance with the weight of coconut processed reaching 69.67 kg per hour and the coconut fiber produced as much as 169.04 kg per hour. However, the second prototype of this machine still has some shortcomings, especially in terms of coconut fiber decomposition. In this prototype, the coconut fiber has not been completely decomposed during the processing process. As a result, to ensure the quality and uniformity of the final product, an additional filtering machine is needed after the coconut tapas decomposition process. This filtering machine aims to separate coconut fiber that is not properly decomposed so that the final product can meet the quality standards required for sale. The use of this filtering machine is expected to increase the efficiency of the process and the final results of coconut fiber processing, making it more suitable for market needs.

Simultaneously enhancing strength and toughness of coir fiber through NaOH and sodium alginate treatment

Coir fibers are commonly subjected to alkali treatment to eliminate impurities and tune their mechanical properties. However, this process can damage the fibers’ microstructures, posing a challenge in significantly enhancing both strength and toughness simultaneously. Herein, we successfully enhanced both strength and toughness of coir fibers through a combined treatment with NaOH and sodium alginate aqueous solution. Coir fibers treated with 5 wt% NaOH solution, followed by 0.5 wt% sodium alginate solution, exhibit a tensile modulus of 2475.0 MPa, a tensile strength of 126.4 MPa, and a toughness of 30.7 MJ/m³, representing improvements of 57.1 %, 72.7 %, and 116.2 %, respectively, compared to the raw fibers. Mechanistic studies revealed that NaOH treatment effectively removes pectin, hemicellulose and lignin from coir fibers but introduces numerous defects. Sodium alginate can repair these defects by forming hydrogen bonds with the rich oxygen-containing group of coir fibers. The combined treatment also increases the crystallinity of coir fibers from 30.3 % for the raw fibers to 44.1 % by removing a large number of amorphous substances. Additionally, the combined treatment reduces the microfibril angle from ∼63.6° to ∼46.6° by elongating the helix structure and filling the gaps between helical fibers. Our cost-effective strategy not only promotes the applications of coir fibers but also provides guidance for the modification of other natural plant fibers.

THE X-BAND MICROWAVE ABSORPTION CHARACTERISTICS OF POROUS ACTIVATED CARBON FROM NATURAL RESOURCES

Porous activated carbon (PAC) from bamboo, sisal, and coconut coir fibres with two carbonization steps were prepared and the microwave absorbing characteristics in the frequency range of 8 GHz to 12 GHz were investigated. The PAC based on bamboo, sisal and coconut coir had BET surface areas of 354.79, 141.91, and 25.70 m2/g, respectively. The return loss of -27.3, -25.6 and -16.4 dB was achieved for PAC from bamboo, sisal, and coconut fiber at 10.46, 11.08 and 11.00 GHz, respectively. The microwave absorption of more than 99% for porous activated carbon of bamboo and sisal, and more than 90% for porous activated carbon of coconut coir fiber, is indicated by these return loss values. It is shown by these results that biomass resources can be considered a promising lightweight, cost-effective, and eco-friendly microwave absorber material.

Enhancement of Shear Strength Properties of Soft Clay Using Coir Fiber-Coconut Husk Ash-Wood Ash Mixture

Soft clay is a problematic type of soil because it has high water content, low shear strength, low bearing capacity, and high compressibility. This study explores the effectiveness of stabilizing soft clay using a combination of coir fiber, coconut husk ash, and wood ash. This research investigated the impact of incorporating 0.75% coir fiber and varying levels of a coconut husk ash-wood ash mixture (ranging from 0% to 10%) on the shear strength properties of soft clay. The study applied two different curing times: seven and 21 days. An unconsolidated-undrained triaxial test was conducted following ASTM D2850-03. The results demonstrated that combining coir fiber reinforcement with chemical stabilization through the ash mixture significantly enhanced the deviatoric stress, cohesion, internal friction angle, shear strength, and elastic modulus of soft soil. Specifically, an 8% ash content with a 21-day curing time achieved the highest deviatoric stress and shear strength. This highest shear strength value was 210% greater than soil solely reinforced with coir fiber.

Electro-assisted alignment of coir fiber cellulose aerogel with low tortuosity channels for solar steam generation

Electro-assisted alignment of coir fiber cellulose aerogel with low tortuosity channels for solar steam generation

Preparation of Coir Cellulose Nanofibers by Peroxyformic Acid Method and Their Application in Reinforced PVA Composite Films.

To increase the value of waste coconut shells and further broaden their use by biorefining, a milder and greener method to prepare cellulose nanofibers (CCNFs) was developed. The CCNFs were separated from coir fibers by using peroxyformic acid and alkali treatment in combination with high-power ultrasonication. The basic properties of the CCNFs were comprehensively evaluated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, spectroscopy, diffraction, and thermogravimetric techniques. The results revealed that the developed preparation method provided CCNFs with typical nanocellulose sizes, structures, and properties. Nanocellulose-reinforced poly(vinyl acetate) (PVA) composite films were prepared using the CCNFs, and their mechanical properties, transmittance, crystallinity, and thermal stability were investigated. The elongation at break of the film with 8% CCNFs was 612%. The tensile strength of the films with 4 and 12% CCNFs was 41.3 MPa, which was higher than that of a PVA film (36 MPa). The transmittance and thermal stability of the PVA composite films were not appreciably affected by the CCNFs. The CCNFs show promise as a nanofiller for PVA-based composite films with favorable mechanical properties, crystallinity, and high transparency.