Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber Research Articles

Processing of oil palm empty fruit bunch as filler material of polymer recycles

Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) is waste from crude palm oil (CPO) processing plants. This research aims to process OPEFB to be a reinforcement polymer recycle with the mechanical milling method and identify each establishment molecular with the orbital hybridization theory. OPEFB fibers were synthesized using a mechanical milling until the size shortfiber and microfiber. Then do the biocomposite granular synthesis with single screw extruder. TAPPI chemical test shows levels of α-cellulose fibers amounted 41.68%. Based on density, the most optimum composition contained in the filler amounted 15% with the size is the microfiber. The test results of morphology with SEM showed deployment of filler OPEFB fiber is fairly equitable distributed. Regarding the molecular interaction between matrix with OPEFB fiber, described by the theory of orbital hybridization. But the explanation establishment of the bond for more complex molecules likes this from the side of the molecular orbital theory is necessary complete information of the hybrid levels.

Molecular analysis on the utilization of oil palm empty fruit bunches fiber as reinforcement for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene biocomposites

Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) was one of the solid waste produced by the palm oil factory and were totally plentiful in biomass. OPEFB fiber used as reinforcement of polymer matrix acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The use of FTIR is to see that there is no changes in the molecules of the constituent biocomposite ABS and OPEFB. The reactivity of butadiene and styrene through the double bond- π conjugated system, contributed to the bond reaction with the maleic acid as compatibilizer witch is grafted to the system. It is concluded that the posible grafting reaction occurs by the addition of the MAH to the double bond of the butadiene and styrene. The hydroxyl group of cellulose can interact with this maleic acid to form a bond through the carboxyl group.

Surface free energy analysis of oil palm empty fruit bunches fiber reinforced biocomposites

Study of the size effect of natural fiber from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) as filler, onto the contact angle and surface free energy of fiber reinforced biocomposites has been done. The OPEFB fibers were prepared by mechanical milling and sieving to obtain various sizes of fiber (long-fiber, medium-fiber, short-fiber, and microparticle). The biocomposites has been produced by extrusion using single-screw extruder with EFB fiber as filler, recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) polymer as matrix, and primary antioxidant, acid scavanger, and coupling agent as additives. The obtained biocomposites in form of granular, were made into test piece by injection molding method. Contact angles of water, methanol, and hexane on the surface of biocomposites at room temperature were measured using Phoenix 300 Contact Angle Analyzer. The surface free energy (SFE) and their components were calculated using three previous known methods (Girifalco-Good-Fowkes-Young (GGFY), Owens-Wendt, and van Oss-Chaudhury-Good (vOCG)). The results showed that total SFE of Recycled ABS as control was about 24.38 mJ/m2, and SFE of biocomposites was lower than control, decreased with decreasing of EFB fiber size as biocomposites filler. The statistical analysis proved that there are no statistically significant differences in the value of the SFE calculated with the three different methods.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND SURFACE FREE ENERGY OF OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCHES FIBRE REINFORCED BIOCOMPOSITES AS GLASS FIBRE SUBSTITUTION

Study of the size effect of natural fibre from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) as filler, onto the mechanical and physical properties of fibre reinforced biocomposites based on recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) has been done. The OPEFB fibres were prepared by mechanical milling and sieving to obtain medium-fibre (20 mesh) and short-fibre (100 mesh). The biocomposites have been produced by extrusion using single-screw extruder method. Mechanical properties and S of biocomposites were evaluated and compared with glass fibre (GF) filled composite which is commonly used in plastics industrial applications. The result showed that the impact strength increased with the decreasing of OPEFB fibre size, while the Young’s modulus decreased. Other mechanical properties of biocomposites with short-fibre (RABS/SF) and medium-fibre (RABS/MF) filler were not significantly different at 95% confidence interval. Impact strength of short-fibre filled biocomposite was higher than glass fibre filled composites. The surface free energy of biocomposites lower than glass fibre filled composites, but its dispersive components are higher, indicating more hydrophobic feature of the surface. The fabricated micro-fibre of OPEFB can be used as viable alternative to substitute glass fibre as filler materials of composites.

Determining the Complex Permittivity of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fibre Material by Open-ended Coaxial Probe Technique for Microwave Applications

A material description was established for oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibre waste for microwave absorber applications by determining its dielectric properties with respect to fibre size and frequency. The proposed OPEFB material was studied at frequencies from 1 to 4 GHz. The study was conducted using the open-ended coaxial probe (OECP) HP85071C technique. The effect of microwave frequency on complex permittivity properties for powdered OPEFB and compressed OPEFB with different particle sizes (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 μm) were investigated. Results showed that the microwave frequency and particle size significantly influenced the complex permittivity (real and imaginary) properties of the samples. Moreover, the complex permittivity decreased as the powder fibre size increased. The complex permittivity of the smallest and largest powder fibre sizes (100 and 500 μm) were (2.050 − j 0.197) and (1.934 − j 0.137), respectively; and the complex permittivity of the smallest and largest compressed OPEFB fibre sizes (100 and 500 μm) were (3.799 − j0.603) and (3.326 − j0.486), respectively. The compressed OPEFB complex permittivity was higher than that of the OPEFB powder.

Properties of Aminosilane Modified Nanocrytalline Cellulose (NCC) from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) Fibers

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) is one of the lignocellulosic materials which very well known as an abundant waste at oil mills and need to be utilized. The nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was extracted from OPEFB fiber through several of chemical treatment and hydrolyzed with sulphuric acid (H2SO4). NCC acts as support to modify with aminosilane, N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropylmethyldimethoxy silane (AEAPDMS) which has possibility for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of NCC properties after modified with AEAPDMS. The raw OPEFB fiber, cellulose, NCC and modified NCC were characterized by attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD) but the morphology and the size of NCC was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The NCC treated with AEAPDMS was proved by FTIR with the emerging of several new peaks especially for NH2 bending and wagging around 1600 cm-1 and 798 cm-1, respectively. While, the XRD result showed the CrI of modified NCC decreased to 64 % from 76 % after the treatment due to the interaction of silanization occurred during the treatment since AEAPDMS has amorphous region. The NCC used in this study was classed as nanomaterial within nanosize and rod-like morphology observed by TEM analysis. Thus, these results give a good possibility for the AEAPDMS modified NCC to capture CO2 via covalent bonding.

Improvement of Dielectric, Magnetic and Thermal Properties of OPEFB Fibre⁻Polycaprolactone Composite by Adding Ni⁻Zn Ferrite.

The dielectric and magnetic behaviour and thermal properties of composites based on nickel–zinc ferrite (NZF) filler can be improved by the addition of various types of materials. Amongst others, ferrite–polymer composites have been subjected to a wide range of research, due to their extensive applications: electromagnetic interference shielding, microwave absorption, electrodes and sensors. Currently, the interest in scientific and technical searches for the potential outcomes of ferrite–polymer materials due to their different uses in applications such as telecommunication applications, microwave devices and electromagnetic interference shielding has been growing stronger. The dielectric and magnetic behaviour and thermal properties for such composite materials depend on size, shape and the amount of filler addition. Nickel–zinc ferrite material was prepared using the conventional solid-state reaction technique. This study highlights the development of microwave-absorbing material from NZF by adding natural fibres, Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) and polycaprolactone (PCL). OPEFB is considered in this study because it is a solid waste product of the oil palm milling process which is widely and cheaply available. The use of OPEFB in this product may save the environment from oil palm solid waste. A Thermal Hake blending machine was used in blending the powder structure of NZF + OPEFB + PCL, which made it homogeneous. These composites were characterized by the use of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal degradation behaviour of the composites was analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermogravimetric (DTG) thermograms. The effective permittivity and effective permeability was obtained over a broad frequency range from 8 to 12 GHz at room temperature. It was observed that the values of effective permittivity and permeability increased as the content of NZF content increased. A rectangular waveguide connected to a microwave vector network analyser (PNA) (HP/Agilent model PNA E8364B) was employed in measuring the reflection coefficient S11 and transmission coefficient S21 parameters of composites for different percentages of NZF filler. This parameter was then used in calculating the microwave absorbing properties (dB).

Effects of Surfactant on the Enzymatic Degradation of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB)

Various pretreatments have been employed to pretreat oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) to improve sugars production via enzymatic degradation reaction. However, less attention has been paid to investigate the effects of surfactant addition in the OPEFB degradation process. Therefore, the effects of surfactants on degradation of pretreated OPEFB by Aspergillus niger EFB1 crude cellulase were studied. Tween 80 was the most effective surfactant tested. When 0.25% (v/v) Tween 80 was added, the production of reducing sugar increased 63% (from 0.49 to 0.8 g/L). This was the optimum yield recorded. It also improved cellobiose, glucose and xylose production by two folds, seven folds and one fold higher than that without Tween 80, respectively. Tween 80 reduced the loss of cellulases activities where more than 17% of the original cellulases activities were retained after 7 days of degradation. Nonetheless, Tween 80 did not improve the protein concentration consistently. Supplementation of Tween 80 increased lignin removal by 23%. Observations using SEM revealed that, with Tween 80, the presence of pores and surface cracks were more pronounced on the surface of degraded OPEFB fibers. As a whole, the reported effects showed an improved production of reducing sugars in the presence of Tween 80. Thus, Tween 80 addition appeared as a promising method in enhancing the bioconversion of OPEFB into value-added co-products.

Oil Palm Fiber Vinylester Composite; Effect of Bleaching Treatment

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of chemical treatment on the flexural properties of the composite. Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fibers (OPEFB) reinforced Vinylester composite were prepared in this study. Soxhlet extraction together with sodium hypochlorite bleaching methods was used for chemical treatment. The diameter of fibers was reduced from a range of 250-350 μm to 10-15 μm by treatment. Shape and texture of the fibers transformed from solid brown colored strings into a white gel. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) test was carried to investigate the effect of treatment on the thermal properties of natural fibers. Vinylester composites were fabricated using untreated and bleached OPEFB fibers. The bending test results showed the bleached fibers displayed greater flexural properties compared to untreated fibers, where the time of bleaching was an important factor in the treatment process.

Sifat Fisis dan Mekanis Papan Semen dari Serat Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit (The Physical and Mechanical Properties of Cement Board Made from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches Fibers)

Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) fiber were industrial waste that has not been widely used by the community, only stacked and cause odors that interfere with the surrounding environment. This research studied the utilization of OPEFB fiber for cement board products using cement as resin and CaCl2 as accelerator. Laboratory scale cement board made from OPEFB fiber were mixed with cement, and CaCl2. The composition of fiber and cement were 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, and CaCl2 variations were 0%, 1% and 3%. A mixture of fibers, cement and CaCl2 was compressed at the pressure of 4 ton for 24 hours. The cement boards were tested for physical and mechanical properties according to JIS A 5417-1992, and the results were compared to the requirements of the cement board JIS A 5417-1992. Cement board made from fiber and cement composition 1:1.5 and CaCl2 content 3% produced moisture content, thickness swelling, water absorption, density, modulus of rupture/MOR, modulus of elasticity/MOE and screw withdrawal strength that met the requirement of JIS A 5417-1992. The composition of fiber and cement and the variations of CaCl2 content produced significant effect on water content, water absorption, thickness swelling, modulus of rupture/MOR, modulus of elasticity/MOE and screw withdrawal strength on cement boards.Keywords : oil palm empty fruit bunches fiber, cement boards, physical and mechanical properties

Oil palm empty fruit bunch fibres as sustainable acoustic absorber

This paper discusses the utilisation of fibres from the oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) to be an alternative natural acoustic material. The study was carried out by fabricating samples from raw OPEFB fibres with different densities and thicknesses to observe their effects on the sound absorption performance. It has been demonstrated that the sound absorption performance can be improved by increasing the thickness of the sample and also by having optimum densities of fibres. In particular for lower frequencies, this can be achieved by introducing air cavity gap behind the fibre samples. Measurement of the normal incidence absorption coefficient in an impedance tube based on ISO 10534-2 found that the OPEFB fibres can have absorption coefficient of 0.9 on average above 1kHz. The sound absorption performance of OPEFB fibres is also shown to be comparable to that of the commercial synthetic rock wools.

Morphological and chemo-thermal changes of oven-heat treated oil palm empty fruit bunch fibers during dry disk milling

Dry disk milling has been proven as a feasible mechanical process for obtaining finer particles. The milling was used to pulverize oven-heat untreated and treated oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibers into micro to nano-sized fibers. Scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size analyser, fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry tests were performed for dry-milled OPEFB fibers with three different temperatures (unheated sample, 100 °C, and 190 °C for 15 min). The properties of oven-heat untreated and treated OPEFB fibers were noticeably shifted due to dry disk milling processes. Irregular cut-edge, unsmooth, uneven and damaged external structures with varied foldings and scars were found in the fibers. Dry disk milling was able to reduce the crystallinity index of oven-heat untreated and treated OPEFB fibers. The XRD spectra of the fibers were similar with JCPDS Card No: 46-1932. Median particle size of the fibers in the range of 100–1000 nm was successfully obtained by means of dry disk milling for 27 min at 2895 rpm. Dry milled fibers of both treated and untreated fibers contained of C (47.64–51.71%), O (43.33–46.09%), K (1.38–3.95%) and Si (0.37–1.70%). Cementing agents existed after the milling whereas silica bodies were tremendously removed. Thermal stability of dry-milled OPEFB fibers varied with dry disk milling assisted oven-heat treatments.

Sodium Hydroxide-Steam Explosion Treated Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch: Ethanol Production and Co-Fermentation with Cane Molasses

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) was pretreated by NaOH-steam explosion and then fermented to ethanol by separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) processes using Kluyveromyces marxianus G2-16-1 at 40 oC. The maximum ethanol production by the SHF and SSF processes was 8.09 g/L (22.21 g/L reducing sugar, 0.08 g/g OPEFB) and 13.658 g/L (0.136 g/g OPEFB), respectively, at 48 h. The OPEFB hydrolysate mixed with molasses to 22% (w/v, total sugar) gave an ethanol yield of 61.60 g/L (0.38 g/g total sugar) at 72 h, while molasses alone gave 53.89 g/L (0.34 g/g total sugar). The OPEFB slurry (OPEFBS; OPEFB hydrolysate containing the solid residue of pretreated OPEFB) gave a maximum ethanol yield of 68.77 g/L (0.44 g/g total sugar) when it was mixed with molasses. Scanning electron micrographs of the solid OPEFB residue in the OPEFBS showed yeast cells adsorbed to the OPEFB fibers. The results indicated that ethanol production from molasses mixed with OPEFB hydrolysate was equal to the cumulative sum of ethanol production from each raw material, and the solid OPEFB residue in the OPEFBS increased the ethanol production in the co-fermentation of molasses and OPEFB hydrolysate.

Monomeric Structure Characterization of Different Sources Biomass Lignin

Utilization of lignocellulosic biomass as the source for lignin could possibly gain an interest and future demands due to its potential to be converted into high value added compound based on their structural characteristics. Three types of biomass lignin originated from oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber (OPEFB), coconut husk and kenaf fibers are subjected to an alkaline hydrolyzation in steam autoclave and precipitation by phosphoric acid. The structural characterization of all three lignin samples performed by FTIR spectroscopy and HNMR analysis suggests that OPEFB is primarily consist of syringyl (S) units while coconut husk and kenaf fiber were consisted of guaiacyl (G) units. However, all three samples exhibit small portion of p-hydroxyphenyl propane (H) units.

Acetylation of oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber as an adsorbent for removal of crude oil.

Removal of oil spillage from the environment is a global concern. Various methods, including the use of fibers as sorbents, have been developed for oil spill control. Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber is a plant biomass that may be acetylated by acetic anhydride using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) as a catalyst; here, the extent of acetylation may be calculated in terms of weight percent gain (WPG). The modified fiber was used to remove Tapis and Arabian crude oils. The optimum time, temperature, and catalyst concentration were 4h, 120°C, and 3%, respectively, and these parameters could achieve an 11.49% increase in WPG. The optimized parameters improved the adsorption capacity of OPEFB fibers for crude oil removal. The acetylated OPEFB fibers were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy to observe the functional groups available and morphology. Kinetic and isotherm studies were conducted using different contact times and oil/water ratios. The rate of oil sorption onto the OPEFB fibers can be adequately described by the pseudo-second-order equation. Adsorption studies revealed that adsorption of crude oil on treated OPEFB fiber could be best described by the Langmuir isotherm model.

Preparation and Characterization of Poly(lactic Acid)-based Composite Reinforced with Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber and Nanosilica

The properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) bio-composite films reinforced with oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber and nanosilica were studied in this work. The composite films were prepared via the solvent casting method. The composites were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), tensile testing, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Ultraviolet visible spectroscopy results revealed that the PLA-based composites and neat PLA had similar light transmittances of approximately 89%. The FTIR and FESEM results showed that OPEFB fibers and nanosilica were embedded into the PLA matrix. The tensile strength of the composites with addition of nanosilica increased with an increasing fiber load content. The XRD analysis showed that the addition of organic or inorganic silica reduced the crystallinity of the composites. The water vapor permeability test results indicated that the inorganic silica decreased the diffusion rate of water molecules through the polymer film. The OPEFB-reinforced PLA blend with additional organic silica exhibited a higher thermal stability than the composites reinforced with inorganic silica.

The Effects of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Sorbent Sizes on Plumbum (II) Ion Sorption

Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) contributes more than 50% of oil palm biomass wastes in Malaysia. This provides tremendous opportunities for value-added product generation from recycling and utilizing its latent capacity. In this work, the performance of physically-pretreated OPEFB fibers without any chemical treatment for Pb2+ removal from aqueous system was evaluated. Three different size ranges (1-5 cm, 0.5-2 mm and 0.005-0.02 mm) of raw sorbent, pH (4-10) and contact time (2-150 min) for Pb2+ batch adsorption were tested. The kinetic data were evaluated by the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion model. The experimental data were well described by the pseudo-second-order model with r2=0.997. Adsorption efficiency was size-dependent with about 38% sorption increase at 0.005-0.02 mm, and reached 94% efficiency, achieved 47.49 mg/g capacity with 500 ppm Pb2+ at pH 7.5, in 60 min. The eco-friendly, low cost sorbent can be applied as green, effective adsorbent in waste water remediation.

Tensile Properties and Morphology of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Regenerated Cellulose Biocomposite Films

The regenerated cellulose (RC)biocomposite films were prepared using casting method where oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were dissolved in N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl)solution. The increasing of OPEFB contents up to 2 wt% increased the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of RC biocomposite films while the elongation at break decreased. However, at 3 and 4 wt% of OPEFB content, the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity decreased with increases OPEFB content, but elongation at break increased. The increment of tensile strength and modulus of elasticity at 2 wt% is due to the OPEFB fiber that partially dissolved and dispersed with the OPEFB matrix. The morphology studies illustrate that at 2 wt% of OPEFB content of biocomposite films surface consists less voids and agglomerations than at 4 wt%. This can be considered the RC filler was partially dispersed with the RC matrix in the biocomposite films.

Effects of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber on Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Conductive Filler Reinforced Polymer Composite

Low density polyethylene (LDPE), carbon black (CB), and oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber composites were prepared by melt blending and compression molded into sheets. The effects of incorporated fibers on the electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, tensile properties, and thermal degradation of the composites were investigated. FTIR results suggest that the OPEFB fibers interact poorly with the polymer matrix and lead to a decrease in mechanical properties. The electrical conductivity of the composites decreased with increasing OPEFB fiber content. Despite the slight decline in conductivity, the composites still were sufficiently conductive relative to applications such as sensors and electromagnetic shielding after the fiber addition. Reduction in thermal conductivity by as much as 10.9% was observed with the addition of 20% OPEFB fiber into LDPE/CB composites. The thermal stability of LDPE/CB/OPEFB fiber composites decreased with increasing fiber content because of the low thermal stability of the incorporated natural fiber.

MICROWAVE CHARACTERIZATION OF BIO-COMPOSITES MATERIALS BASED FINITE ELEMENT AND NICHOLSON–ROSS–WEIR METHODS

In this work, Bio-composite of oil palm empty fruit bunch fibre (OPEFB)-filler andpolycaprolactone (PCL)-polymer has been prepared and characterized. The functional groups and morphology of theprepared samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). By using the NicholsonRoss-Weir(NRW) mode, both of real and imaginary relative permittivity values of the samples were obtainedsimultaneously from the reflection and transmission coefficient measurements of the materials. Whereas, theattenuation with the field distribution at the waveguide filled with a sample were considered by using the FiniteElement Method (FEM). The magnitude of the reflection and transmission (R/T) coefficients of the composite withdifferent filler percentages were measured using rectangular waveguide in conjunction with a microwave vectornetwork analyzer (VNA) in X-band range of frequency. The computations of the S-parameters were achieved byusing the FEM technique along with NRW mode. Then, the obtained results were compared with the measured R/Tcoefficients. Relative error results nominated the FEM mode due to its highly accurate results than the other method. Keywords: Microwave measurements, OPEFB, PCL, Bio-composite