<i>Opuntia</i> spp. Fibre Characterisation to Obtain Sustainable Materials in the Composites Field
Some studies have evaluated the use of <i>Opuntia</i> as reinforcement for polymeric matrices, obtaining good results in energy absorption tests and increasing the tensile elastic modulus. However, no studies focusing on the previous characterisation of the fibres and their treatment to...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/13/2085 |
| _version_ | 1797528914801721344 |
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| author | Jessica Castellano María D. Marrero Zaida Ortega Francisco Romero Antonio N. Benitez Myriam R. Ventura |
| author_facet | Jessica Castellano María D. Marrero Zaida Ortega Francisco Romero Antonio N. Benitez Myriam R. Ventura |
| author_sort | Jessica Castellano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Some studies have evaluated the use of <i>Opuntia</i> as reinforcement for polymeric matrices, obtaining good results in energy absorption tests and increasing the tensile elastic modulus. However, no studies focusing on the previous characterisation of the fibres and their treatment to improve compatibility with polymeric matrices have been found. This work analyses the chemical composition of <i>Opuntia maxima</i> (OM) and <i>Opuntia dillenii</i> (OD) cladodes and fibre, studying how different treatments influence it. AOAC 2000 methods were used to determine non-structural components and the Van Soest method was used to estimate structural components. Surface characteristics of the samples were also evaluated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). <i>Opuntia</i> fibre presented higher cellulose (50–66%) and lignin (6–14%) content and lower hemicellulose (8–13%) content than <i>Opuntia</i> cladodes (9–14% cellulose, 20–50% hemicellulose, 1–4% lignin). Despite the variability of lignocellulosic materials, OD cladodes treated with water and acetic acid achieved an increase in the structural components. Alkaline fibre treatment removed pectin and hemicellulose from the fibre surface, slightly increasing the cellulose content. Future research should evaluate whether the treated <i>Opuntia</i> fibre can improve the mechanical properties of reinforced polymer. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:05:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fd4baa659b654310a7dbc9ae07309da9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:05:08Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-fd4baa659b654310a7dbc9ae07309da92023-11-22T01:37:03ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602021-06-011313208510.3390/polym13132085<i>Opuntia</i> spp. Fibre Characterisation to Obtain Sustainable Materials in the Composites FieldJessica Castellano0María D. Marrero1Zaida Ortega2Francisco Romero3Antonio N. Benitez4Myriam R. Ventura5Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainDepartamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainDepartamento de Ingeniería de Procesos, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainDepartamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainDepartamento de Ingeniería de Procesos, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainDepartamento de Patología Animal, Producción Animal, Bromatología y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Las Palmas, SpainSome studies have evaluated the use of <i>Opuntia</i> as reinforcement for polymeric matrices, obtaining good results in energy absorption tests and increasing the tensile elastic modulus. However, no studies focusing on the previous characterisation of the fibres and their treatment to improve compatibility with polymeric matrices have been found. This work analyses the chemical composition of <i>Opuntia maxima</i> (OM) and <i>Opuntia dillenii</i> (OD) cladodes and fibre, studying how different treatments influence it. AOAC 2000 methods were used to determine non-structural components and the Van Soest method was used to estimate structural components. Surface characteristics of the samples were also evaluated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). <i>Opuntia</i> fibre presented higher cellulose (50–66%) and lignin (6–14%) content and lower hemicellulose (8–13%) content than <i>Opuntia</i> cladodes (9–14% cellulose, 20–50% hemicellulose, 1–4% lignin). Despite the variability of lignocellulosic materials, OD cladodes treated with water and acetic acid achieved an increase in the structural components. Alkaline fibre treatment removed pectin and hemicellulose from the fibre surface, slightly increasing the cellulose content. Future research should evaluate whether the treated <i>Opuntia</i> fibre can improve the mechanical properties of reinforced polymer.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/13/2085<i>Opuntia</i>vegetal fibrefibre treatmentchemical compositionFTIR |
| spellingShingle | Jessica Castellano María D. Marrero Zaida Ortega Francisco Romero Antonio N. Benitez Myriam R. Ventura <i>Opuntia</i> spp. Fibre Characterisation to Obtain Sustainable Materials in the Composites Field Polymers <i>Opuntia</i> vegetal fibre fibre treatment chemical composition FTIR |
| title | <i>Opuntia</i> spp. Fibre Characterisation to Obtain Sustainable Materials in the Composites Field |
| title_full | <i>Opuntia</i> spp. Fibre Characterisation to Obtain Sustainable Materials in the Composites Field |
| title_fullStr | <i>Opuntia</i> spp. Fibre Characterisation to Obtain Sustainable Materials in the Composites Field |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Opuntia</i> spp. Fibre Characterisation to Obtain Sustainable Materials in the Composites Field |
| title_short | <i>Opuntia</i> spp. Fibre Characterisation to Obtain Sustainable Materials in the Composites Field |
| title_sort | i opuntia i spp fibre characterisation to obtain sustainable materials in the composites field |
| topic | <i>Opuntia</i> vegetal fibre fibre treatment chemical composition FTIR |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/13/2085 |
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