Modification Of Natural Fibers Research Articles

Shaping sustainable pathways: Enhancing mechanical properties of biocomposite through tannic acid treatment of flax fabrics

Biocomposites developed using natural fibers serve as a sustainable alternative to synthetic composite materials. However, narrowing the performance gap between synthetic composites and biocomposites requires serious efforts. A promising approach is the modification of natural fibers using various chemical treatments. This paper investigates the potential of tannic acid (TA) treatment as a sustainable approach to enhance mechanical performance and reduce moisture absorption of flax fabric-reinforced biocomposites. The methodology involves the treatment of flax woven fabric with tannic acid, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound, followed by the fabrication of biocomposite using a green epoxy matrix. The variables studied during treatment are TA concentration and processing time. Characterization of untreated and treated flax fabric and its composites was done using various analytical techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy, moisture absorption and mechanical testing (tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact resistance). FTIR spectroscopy of TA-treated flax confirmed attachment of aromatic rings and carbon double bond formation, thus serving for properties enhancement. The mechanical characterization of composites showed that properties are enhanced up to an optimum limit of concentration and processing time i.e., 1 % concentration and 30 min of processing. Moisture absorption of the TA-treated composite also reduced significantly as compared to untreated composites. These findings contribute towards the advancement in sustainable biocomposites and pave the way for their utilization in various applications.

Influence of gin trash bacteria broth treatment on cotton fibres

Purpose Bacterial exopolysaccharides (eps) have fascinating chemical compositions, properties and structures which could be used in the modification of natural fibres. Bacterial eps have therefore been used to modify plant cellulose fibre surface and impart desired properties. The purpose of this paper is therefore to investigate the influence of gin trash cultured bacteria eps on the physical and structural properties of cotton fibres. Design/methodology/approach Gin trash soil sample was collected from a ginnery in Kenya, and physiochemical and microbial characterization was done. The soil sample was then fermented for 24 h before being used to treat raw cotton fibres at varied conditions of temperature, pH and treatment time periods. Physical and structural properties of the treated fibres were then determined using USTER HVI-1000 M700, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and compared with those of the raw fibres. Findings The bacteria broth treated fibres were found to have increased in strength, spinning consistency index, elongation and fineness by 25.44, 24.30, 11.70 and 3.60%, respectively. The variations were attributed to interactions of bacterial eps with cotton cellulose through hydrogen bonding. SEM and XRD analysis revealed an increase in fibre surface roughness and crystallinity, respectively. Originality/value Bacterial eps have been used to modify plant cellulose fibre surface and impart desired properties. Eps producing bacteria have been isolated from different habitats such as saline water, soil samples, food wastes and petroleum-contaminated soil. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, bacterial eps cultured from gin trash soil sample for modification of cotton fibres have however not been previously done, hence the originality of the current study.

Natural Fibers as Sustainable and Renewable Resource for Development of Eco-Friendly Composites: A Comprehensive Review

The increase in awareness of the damage caused by synthetic materials on the environment has led to the development of eco-friendly materials. The researchers have shown a lot of interest in developing such materials which can replace the synthetic materials. As a result, there is an increase in demand for commercial use of the natural fiber-based composites in recent years for various industrial sectors. Natural fibers are sustainable materials which are easily available in nature and have advantages like low-cost, lightweight, renewability, biodegradability and high specific properties. The sustainability of the natural fiber-based composite materials has led to upsurge its applications in various manufacturing sectors. In this paper, we have reviewed the different sources of natural fibers, their properties, modification of natural fibers, the effect of treatments on natural fibers, etc. We also summarize the major applications of natural fibers and their effective use as reinforcement for polymer composite materials.

Modification of natural fibers from Thespesia lampas plant by in situ generation of silver nanoparticles in single-step hydrothermal method

Ligno-cellulosic fibers have a great market and propose higher value addition and options to develop various products but they do not have inherent antimicrobial properties. In this study, a simple hydrothermal method was applied to build up antimicrobial properties to natural fibers by in situ-generating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in them. Herein, the ligno-cellulosic Thespesia lampas natural fibers were selected to develop antimicrobial activity using silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution by hydrothermal method. The modified fibers were characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA, and antibacterial activity tests. The modified fibers had spherical AgNPs with an average size of 95 nm. The thermal stability of the modified fibers was higher than that of the unmodified fibers. The modified fibers exhibited good antibacterial activity against both the Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. These modified fibers can be considered as fillers in polymer matrices to make antibacterial composites.

Sustainable controlling of hydrophilic properties of cotton and linen by application of amino acids

Three different hydrophobic amino acids (valine, leucine, and phenylalanine) are used in wet-finishing application on natural fiber fabrics from cotton and linen. By this application, a decrease in hydrophilic properties of the fabrics can be determined by two analytical methods (capillary rise test and TEGEWA drop test) – with most significant results after application of valine or leucine. By this simple approach, the proof of concept is done that small and natural based molecules can be used for an eco-friendly modification of natural fibers. This could be a promising starting point for further development of eco-friendly finishing agents.

Modification of Brazilian Natural Fibers from Banana's Tree to Apply as Fillers into Polymers Composites

Lignocellulosic fibers, as banana fiber, are potential substitutes for non-renewable synthetic fibers, nevertheless being a polar polymer, they have low compatibility with polyolefins, the most common non-polar thermoplastics. This difficulty can be minimized by chemical treatment of the fiber. In this work, HDPE composites and natural fibers were treated with two interfacial agents - stearic acid (AS) and lauric (AL). The interfacial agents and three types of fibers banana here defined as external Fiber (Fext), internal fiber (Fint) and intermediate fiber (Finterm). The interfacial agents were dissolved in acetone/toluene mixed with banana fibers at 50 °C for 24 h. Banana fibers, impregnated with the interfacial agents, were mixed with high density polyethylene (HDPE) in a twin screw extruder. The extruded samples were injected into specimens for evaluation of mechanical properties: tensile strength and impact strengths. The elastic moduli of treated fibers and HDPE composites increased as compared to pure HDPE. For the compound having HDPE and Fext-AL, the highest value for the modulus was found. This interfacial agent improved the elastic modulus of the material thus suggesting that this agent may have allowed a better interaction between the fiber and the olefinic polymer.

Modification of natural fibers and leathers by polymer fillers based on a polyquaternary salt

We have synthesized a polymeric quaternary ammonium salt of β-methacryloylethyl-Ndimethyl( allyl)ammonium bromide (β-MAEDAB) based on reaction of N,Ndimethylaminoethylmethacrylate with allyl bromide. We have developed a water-soluble polymeric composition based on the polyquaternary salt of β-MAEDAB combined with glycerol for treatment of natural fibers (cotton and wool) and leather (cowhide and goatskin). We have studied the physical and chemical properties of aqueous solutions of the polymeric composition and have determined the optimal formula for the composition to use for finishing fibers and leathers. We have studied the physical and mechanical properties of natural fibers and leathers modified by the polymeric composition based on a polyquaternary salt.

Microwave Induced Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate onto Lignocellulosic Fibers

Surface modification of natural fibers helps to improve their existing properties such as swelling behavior, water uptake, moisture absorbance, resistance to chemicals, and thermal behavior. In the present communication, surface modification of Agave americana fiber through graft copolymerization under the influence of microwave radiation has been reported. Grafting of methyl methacrylate onto the fiber was done using ceric ammonium nitrate as redox initiator under different conditions of reaction time, temperature, and nitric acid, initiator, and monomer concentration. The optimized reaction conditions resulted in maximum graft yield of 10.4%. The graft copolymers obtained under optimum conditions were subsequently subjected to evaluation of various physicochemical properties such as swelling behavior in different solvents, solubility behavior, moisture absorbance behavior, and resistance to acids and bases. The graft copolymers were further characterized with the help of Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction studies.

History of Natural Fibers

Abstract Nature, as though aware of the importance of textiles, has long provided an abundance of fibers—plant, animal, and mineral—of different dimensions and properties. Beginning in prehistory, the natural fibers have served man's textile needs for thousands of years. The Swiss Lake Dwellers in 8000 BC cultivated flax and wove linen into fabrics. By 3000 to 2000 BC, the use of fibers was well developed, and the weaving of cotton was well established in India and Pakistan. Improvements in machines for spinning, weaving, etc., beginning in the 1700s, revolutionized the processing of fibers. Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin in 1793 helped cotton become king of the fibers. In recent decades the textile industry was revolutionized again by many technological developments, including the creation of synthetic and modification of natural fibers. Today the world and United States fiber markets are dominated by the natural and man-made fibers, respectively. In spite of gains by the man-made fibers, both...