Water Hyacinth Fiber Research Articles

Effect of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA) on Tensile Properties and Spectroscopy Infrared (FTIR) Characteristics of LDPE/WHF Composites

In this work, the effect of PMMA in low density polyethylene/water hyacinth fibers composites were prepared and characterized in terms of tensile properties and FTIR characteristics. Water hyacinth fibers (WHF) were incorporated into the LDPE matrix with different fiber loading. LDPE/WHF and LDPE/WHFPMMAcomposites were prepared with Z-blade mixer at 180 °C with rotor speed of 50 rpm. The PMMA modified WHF increased the tensile strength and Young’s modulus while reduced the elongation at break of LDPE/WHFPMMAcomposites in comparison with LDPE/WHF composites. The absorption peak at 1736.28 cm-1indicated the presence of ester carbonyl group (C=O) in LDPE/WHFPMMAcomposites.

Composites from water hyacinth (Eichhornea crassipe) and polyester resin

Fibrous plants are available in abundance in nature and are a renewable resource. The development of high performance composites from a cheap natural fiber, such as water hyacinth (Eichhornea crassipes) is particularly beneficial from an economic point of view. Remarkable, thermosetting resins such as polyester are used widely as a composite matrix due to polyester resins present a good dimensional stability, thermal stability, and good mechanical properties. For this study, some composites from water hyacinth fiber and polyester resin were prepared by using solution impregnation and hot curing methods. The composites were prepared by varying fiber percentages (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%). These were characterized by FTIR and DSC analysis. Additionally, the elastic modules (MOE) from static test according to ASTM (D143-94) and by dynamic test from Sylvates Duo were obtained. Mechanical properties such as flexural strain and compression strength parallel of the different composites were analyzed. Thus, composites which had a concentration of water hyacinth in the range of 5 to 10 wt% yielded the best results. Additionally, the analysis showed no evidence of a negative effect on mechanical and thermal properties of the composite by addition of water hyacinth to the polyester resin. Furthermore, the results showed that water hyacinths fibres presented a competitive reinforcement quality when they were compared with other natural fibers, as such jute, abaca, and rice straw.

Mechanical Properties, Swelling Behavior and Morphology Properties of Dynamic Vulcanized Low Density Polyethylene/Natural Rubber/Water Hyacinth Fibers Composites

The effect of dynamic vulcanization and fiber loading on properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/natural rubber (NR)/water hyacinth fibers (WHF) were investigated. In this study, the vulcanized thermoplastics were obtained by in situ dynamic curing of LDPE/NR/WHF composites. The LDPE/NR/WHF composites with different fiber loading were prepared by using Brabender mixer at 180 °C with the rotor speed of 50 rpm. The results showed that dynamic vulcanized LDPE/NR/WHF composites gave a higher tensile strength, Young’s modulus, elongation at break but lower molar sorption than unvulcanized LDPE/NR/WHF composites. The SEM micrographs also displayed better fibers dispersion and the crosslink formation in dynamic vulcanized LDPE/NR/WHF composites indicated better interfacial bonding among fibers and matrix compared to unvulcanized LDPE/NR/WHF composites.

Effects of chemical modification of epoxy‐(ethylene diamine) on water hyacinth fibers (Eichhornia crassiper)‐filled (low‐density polyethylene)/(natural rubber) blends

The effects of modification by epoxy‐(ethylene diamine) (EED) on (water hyacinth fiber)‐filled (low‐density polyethylene)/(natural rubber) (LDPE/NR/WHF‐EED) composites were studied. The LDPE/NR/WHF and LDPE/NR/WHF‐EED composites were prepared by using a Brabender Plasticorder. LDPE/NR/WHF‐EED showed higher tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break but lower molar sorption of toluene compared with LDPE/NR/WHF composites. The Fourier‐transform infrared radiation analysis indicated that the absorption peak at 1,648 cm−1 exhibited the CN band. This CN band was formed from the bond of the epoxy group and the amine group in the WHF‐g‐epoxy‐(ethylene diamine) (WHF‐EED). The scanning electron microscopic morphology of LDPE/NR/WHF‐EED composites displayed rougher surfaces and less fiber pull, which improved the interfacial adhesion among the fiber/matrix. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 20:201–209, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers

Properties of (Low‐density polyethylene)/(natural rubber)/(water hyacinth fiber) composites: The effect of polyaniline

The effects of polyaniline (PANI)‐modified water hyacinth fiber on the properties of (low‐density polyethylene)/(natural rubber)/(water hyacinth fiber) (LDPE/NR/WHF) composites were studied. The composites were prepared by using a Brabender Plasticorder at 160oC and a rotor speed of 50 rpm for 6 minutes. LDPE/NR/WHFPANI composites exhibited higher tensile strength, Young's modulus, elongation at break, melting temperature, and electrical conductivity but lower molar sorption, capacitance, percentage crystallinity, and interparticle spacing than LDPE/NR/WHF composites. Scanning electron microscopy morphology showed a better interfacial adhesion of PANI‐modified water hyacinth fiber (WHFPANI) and the LDPE/NR phases than when unmodified WHF was used. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 20:122–130, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers

Mechanical properties of water hyacinth fibers – polyester composites before and after immersion in water

This study reported moisture absorption of untreated and treated individual water hyacinth (WH) fibers as well as comparison the mechanical properties of WH fibers – unsaturated polyester (UPR) matrix composites after and before immersion in water. The result shows that the individual WH fibers treated with various alkali concentration did not exhibit significantly decreases of their moisture absorption. SEM photograph in cross section of the treated WH fibers shows swollen cell wall containing more nano and micro hollows. Tensile and flexure strength of the wet composite samples are lower than that of dried ones. However, increases volume fraction of the WH fibers in UPR matrix affected slightly on enhancement mechanical properties of the composite samples.

Preparation and Characterization of Sawdust Derived Bio-Fuel Pellets Depending on "Solid Bridge" Intertwining Action of Hyacinth Fiber

Densified biomass pellets named as H/S-BPs were prepared from waste wood sawdust (S) in the presence of water hyacinth fiber (H) as solid bridge under room temperature and 6 MPa lower than in the previous study. Mechanical properties including relaxed density (ρr), resiliency (R), abrasion resistance (AR) and impact resistance index (IRI) were evaluated. Results showed that adding H greatly reduced negative effect of resiliency on the mechanical properties of H/S-BPs during storage. For example, H/S-BPs compressed at 6 MPa in an H/S mass ratio of 1 to 3 presented lower resiliency of 10% and higher relaxed density of 1.04 kg dm-3 than pellets without H fiber. This is due to the intertwining action of H fiber, what fabricates solid bridge, replacing the bonding creating by applying high pressure to resist the disruptive force caused by elastic recovery. Thus, compression of waste H and S in a mass ratio of 1 to 3 at room temperature under 6 MPa is a cost-effective process to produce densified sustainable bio-fuel pellet as well as dispose waste S and H, combining the economical and environmental benefits.

Amine functionalized radiation-induced grafted water hyacinth fibers for Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cr3+ uptake

An amine group containing fibrous adsorbent was prepared by reaction of grafted water hyacinth fibers with ethylenediamine. Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was grafted onto water hyacinth fibers using gamma radiation induced graft polymerization through simultaneous grafting technique and this was used as base material for producing the amine type adsorbents. The conversion of the epoxy group from GMA into amine group was investigated. The concentration of ethylenediamine solution that gave the highest amine functional group density was 50% by volume in 2-propanol. The amine functionalized water hyacinth fibers were characterized using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). Information derived from these analyses confirms the successful conversion of the epoxy group. The amine-type adsorbent was evaluated for its uptake of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cr3+ from aqueous solutions. The initial concentration of the metal ions and pH of the solutions were found to influence the amount of metal ions adsorbed by the amine-type adsorbent. The kinetics of adsorption was observed to follow Lagergren's first order equation. Results of ion sorption studies indicate that gamma radiation-induced grafting and subsequent chemical modification improved the ion sorption behaviour of water hyacinth fibers.

PEMANFAATAN SERAT SELULOSA ECENG GONDOK (Eichhornia Crassipes) SEBAGAI BAHAN BAKU PEMBUATAN KERTAS: ISOLASI DAN KARAKTERISASI

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is an aquatic weeds and as water pollution which can be reduced by using its celloluse fiber as raw material for paper production. In this work, the cellulose fiber which produced from water hyacinth stems by chemical pulping method was isolated and characterized. The operating conditions for produced the highest yield of water hyacinth’s fiber by variation of NaOH concentration and cooking time were also investigated. Dry hyacinth stems on liquor/crop ratio was 7:1 (mL/g) and mixed with 1-5% (w/v) NaOH then degested in an autoclave (120 0C; 14,5 Psi) for 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min. The operating condition which highest yield production was mixed with newspapers fiber with ratio 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1. The NaClO 5.25% (v/v) was added into the mixture as bleaching agent, then pressed and dried as a paper. The highest water hyacinth fiber yield was obtained about 32.31% (2.5% w/v NaOH for 15 min). When mixed with newspaper fiber at loading ratio 2:1, the highest yield and density were obtained about 37.27% and 0.567 g/cm3, respectively. Base on observation by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the diameter of water hyacinth’s fiber is 80-166 nm and waste newspaper fiber is ± 56 μm. In addition, in the presence of newspaper fiber in the product was increased the characteristic peaks of paper around 5.66% (cellulose I) and 8.26% (cellulose II) base on X-Ray Difraction (XRD) result. Keywords: Eichhornia crassipes, chemical pulping, autoclave, kertas

Effect of Alkalization on Mechanical Properties of Water Hyacinth Fibers-Unsaturated Polyester Composites

Characteristic of local water hyacinth (WH) fibers and composites that consist of mixing WH fibers and unsaturated polyester (UPR) were studied. Composites mixed with the WH fibers treated in different alkali concentration for 1 h soaking time were tested by tensile and flexure machine and their fracture surface was observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that 7% NaOH, 1 h, treated WH fibers provided better mechanical properties on UPR matrix composites in comparison with other alkali concentrations. From SEM observation, some untreated WH fibers pulled out from their matrix were observed clearly in fracture surface of composites. The high alkali concentration created damage of cellulosic structure, thus decreasing of mechanical properties of the composites.

Effect of PE-g-MAH as Compatibilizer on Properties of LDPE/NR/WHF Composites

In this work, the effect of PE-g-MAH as compatibilizer in polyethylene/ natural rubber/ water hyacinth fibers composites were prepared and characterized in terms of tensile properties, morphology properties, swelling behavior and FTIR characteristic. Water hyacinth fibers (WHF) was used as reinforced fiber in the composites incorporated into the LDPE/NR matrices with different fiber loading. LDPE/NR/WHF composites were prepared with Z-blade mixer at 180°C with rotor speed of 50 rpm for 10 minutes. The presence of PE-g-MAH increased the tensile strength and Young’s modulus while reduced the elongation at break of LDPE/NR/WHF composites. The molar sorption of the composites decreased as the fiber loading increased. SEM morphology showed a better fiber dispersion and fiber distribution indicated PE-g-MAH improved the interfaces between water hyacinth fiber and LDPE/NR matrices. The absorption peak at 1741.52cm-1 indicated ester carbonyl group in LDPE/NR/WHFPE-g-MAH composites.

Gamma radiation-induced grafting of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto water hyacinth fibers

Water hyacinth fibers (Eichhornia crassipes) were functionalized using radiation-induced graft polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate by γ-rays from 60Co source. The simultaneous grafting technique was employed wherein the water hyacinth fibers were irradiated in nitrogen atmosphere in the presence of glycidyl methacrylate dissolved in water/methanol solvent. The effects of different grafting parameters to the grafting yield were evaluated. The optimal values of solvent, absorbed dose, dose rate, and concentration of monomer were found to be 1:3 (volume/volume) water–methanol solvent, 10kGy, 8kGyh−1 dose rate and 5% volume/volume glycidyl methacrylate, respectively. Using the optimum conditions, degree of grafting of approximately 58% was achieved. The grafted water hyacinth fibers were characterized using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). The results of these tests confirmed the successful grafting of glycidyl methacrylate onto water hyacinth fibers.

Enhancing interfacial adhesion performance by using poly(vinyl alcohol) in (low‐density polyethylene)/(natural rubber)/(water hyacinth fiber) composites

The effects of (a) the chemical modification of water hyacinth fiber by poly(vinyl alcohol) (WHF‐PVA) and (b) loading on the properties of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)/(natural rubber (NR))/(water hyacinth fiber (WHF)) composites were studied. Mechanical properties, water absorption behavior, morphology, and thermal properties were examined; X‐ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopic analysis were done. The results indicated that LDPE/NR/WHF‐PVA composites had higher values of tensile strength, Young's modulus, melting temperature, and water absorption resistance but lower elongation at break than LDPE/NR/WHF composites. The LDPE/NR/WHF‐PVA composites had better interfacial adhesion between the matrix and the fibers than LDPE/NR/WHF composites, as shown by SEM results. The LDPE/NR/WHF‐PVA composites exhibited lower interparticle spacing than LDPE/NR/WHF composites, a feature which enhanced the interparticle interaction between the water hyacinth fibers and the LDPE/NR matrix. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 19:47–54, 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers

Effect of Surface Treatment on Interfacial and Properties of Water Hyacinth Fiber Reinforced Poly(Lactic Acid) Composites

Surface treatment of water hyacinth fiber (WHF) was investigated as a mean of improving interfacial of WHF reinforced poly (lactic acid) (PLA) composites. Fiber was treated with sodium hydroxide 15% w/v at 85 °C for 3 h. The composite materials were processed using internal melt mixer and compression molding machine. The weight content of fibervaried from 5 to 25% w/w.The mechanical and thermal properties of pure PLA and composites were compared using universal testing machine, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetricanalysis (TGA).The best mechanical properties of composite were achieved at fiber mass content of 20% w/w in this study, which showed an increase oftensile modulus by 21.6% compared to those of pure PLA. The high tensile modulus but low elongation at break indicates that this material exhibits brittle behavior. The results of TGA andDSC experiments indicated that the addition of fiber enhanced the thermal stability of the composites and WHF can act as a nucleating agent for PLA crystallites. The morphology, evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), indicated that a uniform dispersion of fiber in the PLA matrix existed. Alkali treatment of fiber increased the interfacial bonding strength and the wettability of the fiber by PLA leading to the enhancement in mechanical properties of the composites.

Effect of Poly(methyl Methacrylate) Modified Water Hyacinth Fiber on Properties of Low Density Polyethylene/Natural Rubber/Water Hyacinth Fiber Composites

The effect of poly(methyl methacrylate) modified water hyacinth fiber on properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/natural rubber (NR)/water hyacinth fiber (WHF) composites were investigated. The composites were prepared with Z-blade mixer at 180°C and rotor speed of 50 rpm. The poly(methyl methacrylate) modified water hyacinth fibers in LDPE/NR composites (LDPE/NR/WHF-PMMA) gave a greater value of tensile strength, Young's modulus, glass transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature (Tm), and % crystallinity compared to unmodified water hyacinth fibers in LDPE/NR composites (LDPE/NR/WHF). FTIR analysis shows the presence of ester carbonyl group and C-O ester group in poly (methyl methacrylate) modified water hyacinth fiber. The SEM micrograph also shows a better interfacial adhesion between the fibers and LDPE/NR matrixes for LDPE/NR/WHF-PMMA composites than LDPE/NR/WHF composites. LDPE/NR/WHF-PMMA composites had a lower value of interparticle spacing compared to LDPE/NR/WHF composites thatenhanced the interparticle interaction between fiber and LDPE/NR matrixes.

Mechanical Properties of Fiber Reinforced Lightweight Aggregate Concrete

In this study, the effects of fiber types on the mechanical properties of lightweight aggregate concretes were investigated. Three types of fibers, namely, polypropylene fiber, steel fiber and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) fiber, and two types of lightweight aggregates, namely, expanded polystyrene and ceramsite were used. The compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of concretes were tested. The results show that both the compressive strength and the splitting tensile strength were improved by adding a reasonable volume of steel fiber and polypropylene fiber into LWAC. The addition of water hyacinth fiber had little effect on the compressive strength of LWAC, while a little increase was observed in the splitting tensile strength.

The Effect of Isophorone Diisocyanate-Polyhydroxyl Groups Modified Water Hyacinth Fibers (Eichhornia Crassiper) on Properties of Low Density Polyethylene/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (LDPE/ABS) Composites

The effect of isophorone diisocyanate-polyhydroxyl groups as a coupling agent on properties of low density polyethylene/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/water hyacinth fibers (LDPE/A0BS/WHF) composites was studied. LDPE/ABS (50/50) blends with different unmodified and modified water hyacinth fibers (WHF) loading were prepared with Z-blade mixer at 200°C and rotor speed of 50 rpm. The results indicated that LDPE/ABS/modified WHF composites show higher values of tensile strength, Young's modulus and water absorption resistance than LDPE/ABS/unmodified WHF composites. It was also found that the modified WHF offers better thermal stability than unmodified WHF in the LDPE/ABS/WHF composites.

The Effect of NCO-Polyol on the Properties of Low-Density Polyethylene/Water Hyacinth Fiber (Eichhornia crassiper) Composites

Low density polyethylene (LDPE)/modified water hyacinth fiber (WHF) composites have been prepared by melt blending. All the composites were characterized by tensile test, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), water absorption behaviour, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that LDPE/WHF composites with NCO-polyol as a coupling agent show higher values of tensile strength, Young's modulus and water absorption resistance but lower elongation at break than LDPE/WHF composites without NCO-polyol. The micrographs of SEM showed that the WHF were more widely dispersed in the LDPE matrix with the addition of the NCO-polyol as a coupling agent. It was also found that the modified WHF offers better thermal stability in the LDPE/WHF composites than unmodified WHF.