Authors
RM Leão, SM Luz, JA Araujo, K Novack
Publication date
2015/11/2
Journal
Journal of Natural Fibers
Volume
12
Issue
6
Pages
574-586
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Description
This work describes the surface treatment of coconut fiber and its application in composite materials for reinforcement of polypropylene. Before testing coconut fiber in composite materials, its susceptibility to chemical treatment was characterized by exposure to the following: (1) hot water; (2) aqueous NaOH 2% (w/v); and (3) a sequence of chemical treatments in hot water, extran 20% (v/v), acetone/water 1:1 (v/v), and aqueous NaOH 10% (w/v).The efficiency of each treatment was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry analysis, indicating a reduction in the C=O peak. Besides that the scanning electron microscope revealed that treatment changed the morphology of the fibers. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the insertion of fibers into PP caused a decrease in the thermal stability and differential scanning calorimetry exhibited that crystallization of PP was favored in the presence of fibers.
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