Chemical Modification of Coir, Empty Fruit Bunch and Palm Kernel Fibres for Polymer Reinforcement

• J. M. Jabar

  Chemistry Department, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

• L. Lajide

  Chemistry Department, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

• A. O. Adetuyi

  Chemistry Department, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

• B. J. Owolabi

  Chemistry Department, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

• G. W. Ayoade

  Chemistry Department, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Reinforcing polymers with natural fibres to form materials with improved strength has been globally accepted as one of the environmental friendly ways of harmonizing the present technology with future engineering material property required. The major limitation to reinforcement of hydrophobic polymer with hydrophilic natural fibre is that of poor interfacial bonding. Solution to the problem arising from this technology was examined by using mercerization, alkaline bleaching and acetylation surface modification technology, to incorporate water resistance to the hydrophilic coir (CCF), empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm kernel fibres (PKF). The moisture content (MC) of EFB is higher than that of CCF but lower than that of PKF. Up to about 70 % reduction was observed in MC of the fibres as a result of chemical modification. Acetylation method of fibre modification was the one that gave the best hydrophobic nature to the fibres, followed by alkaline bleaching method of modification. The reduction in hydrophilic nature of these natural fibres might make them compatible with hydrophobic matrices and promotes interfacial adhesion between them.

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