Characterization of Chemically and Thermo-chemically Treated Water Reed and Mokolwane Palm Fibers

Water reed (Phragmites spp.) and mokolwane palm (Hyphaene spp.) natural fibers, building materials indigenous to Botswana are potential reinforcement materials in manufacturing composites due to their desirable light weight, mechanical properties, and recyclable nature. Nevertheless, the surface mod...

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Main Authors: Nametso L. Moumakwa, Matthews Mokoba, Tobias Bader, Eyitayo O. Olakanmi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2022-10-01
Series:Journal of Natural Fibers
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2021.1952141
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author Nametso L. Moumakwa
Matthews Mokoba
Tobias Bader
Eyitayo O. Olakanmi
author_facet Nametso L. Moumakwa
Matthews Mokoba
Tobias Bader
Eyitayo O. Olakanmi
author_sort Nametso L. Moumakwa
collection DOAJ
description Water reed (Phragmites spp.) and mokolwane palm (Hyphaene spp.) natural fibers, building materials indigenous to Botswana are potential reinforcement materials in manufacturing composites due to their desirable light weight, mechanical properties, and recyclable nature. Nevertheless, the surface modification mechanism and its effects on the quality characteristics of these fibers have not been explored. This study compares the impact of chemical and thermo-chemical surface treatments on the properties of the fibers. Furthermore, a suitable treatment method and fiber to produce natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPCs) were identified. Thermo-chemical treatment is more effective in improving the thermal resistance and mechanical properties of the fibers relative to chemical treatment. Water reed fiber treated by 1.5 wt.% NaOH solution for 15 days followed by thermal treatment at 80°C for 24 hours is best for suitable for building insulation applications considering its quality characteristics (namely: tensile strength (76.41 MPa), CI (59.2%), CS (21.44 nm) and degradation temperature range of 288–598°C). Surface modification mechanism of the fibers by chemical treatment occurred via dissolution of hemicellulose which increased the interfibrillar region while the incorporation of thermal treatment further promoted the rupture of bonds existing between the cellulose and hemicellulose.
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spelling doaj.art-195fe66d3246446eacd464413d4510b12023-09-20T13:04:29ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Natural Fibers1544-04781544-046X2022-10-0119147611762610.1080/15440478.2021.19521411952141Characterization of Chemically and Thermo-chemically Treated Water Reed and Mokolwane Palm FibersNametso L. Moumakwa0Matthews Mokoba1Tobias Bader2Eyitayo O. Olakanmi3Energy & Industrial Engineering, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)Energy & Industrial Engineering, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)Energy & Industrial Engineering, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)Water reed (Phragmites spp.) and mokolwane palm (Hyphaene spp.) natural fibers, building materials indigenous to Botswana are potential reinforcement materials in manufacturing composites due to their desirable light weight, mechanical properties, and recyclable nature. Nevertheless, the surface modification mechanism and its effects on the quality characteristics of these fibers have not been explored. This study compares the impact of chemical and thermo-chemical surface treatments on the properties of the fibers. Furthermore, a suitable treatment method and fiber to produce natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPCs) were identified. Thermo-chemical treatment is more effective in improving the thermal resistance and mechanical properties of the fibers relative to chemical treatment. Water reed fiber treated by 1.5 wt.% NaOH solution for 15 days followed by thermal treatment at 80°C for 24 hours is best for suitable for building insulation applications considering its quality characteristics (namely: tensile strength (76.41 MPa), CI (59.2%), CS (21.44 nm) and degradation temperature range of 288–598°C). Surface modification mechanism of the fibers by chemical treatment occurred via dissolution of hemicellulose which increased the interfibrillar region while the incorporation of thermal treatment further promoted the rupture of bonds existing between the cellulose and hemicellulose.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2021.1952141mokolwane palm tree (hyphaene spp.)water reed (phragmites spp)cellulose fiber characterizationalkali treatmentsurface modificationftir analysissem analysistg analysisxrd analysissingle fiber tensile test
spellingShingle Nametso L. Moumakwa
Matthews Mokoba
Tobias Bader
Eyitayo O. Olakanmi
Characterization of Chemically and Thermo-chemically Treated Water Reed and Mokolwane Palm Fibers
Journal of Natural Fibers
mokolwane palm tree (hyphaene spp.)
water reed (phragmites spp)
cellulose fiber characterization
alkali treatment
surface modification
ftir analysis
sem analysis
tg analysis
xrd analysis
single fiber tensile test
title Characterization of Chemically and Thermo-chemically Treated Water Reed and Mokolwane Palm Fibers
title_full Characterization of Chemically and Thermo-chemically Treated Water Reed and Mokolwane Palm Fibers
title_fullStr Characterization of Chemically and Thermo-chemically Treated Water Reed and Mokolwane Palm Fibers
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of Chemically and Thermo-chemically Treated Water Reed and Mokolwane Palm Fibers
title_short Characterization of Chemically and Thermo-chemically Treated Water Reed and Mokolwane Palm Fibers
title_sort characterization of chemically and thermo chemically treated water reed and mokolwane palm fibers
topic mokolwane palm tree (hyphaene spp.)
water reed (phragmites spp)
cellulose fiber characterization
alkali treatment
surface modification
ftir analysis
sem analysis
tg analysis
xrd analysis
single fiber tensile test
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2021.1952141
work_keys_str_mv AT nametsolmoumakwa characterizationofchemicallyandthermochemicallytreatedwaterreedandmokolwanepalmfibers
AT matthewsmokoba characterizationofchemicallyandthermochemicallytreatedwaterreedandmokolwanepalmfibers
AT tobiasbader characterizationofchemicallyandthermochemicallytreatedwaterreedandmokolwanepalmfibers
AT eyitayooolakanmi characterizationofchemicallyandthermochemicallytreatedwaterreedandmokolwanepalmfibers