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Modification of oil palm empty fruit bunch fibers by nanoparticle impregnation and alkali treatment

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Abstract

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers were impregnated by copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) through the cationization process as well as treated by alkali solutions. Mechanical properties of different single fibers were measured and analysed by the Weibull statistical distribution. The weak link scaling of Weibull analysis has provided valuable information to scale the strength of one EFB fiber to predict the strength of other one. The impregnation and interfacial interaction of CuNPs with fibers has been analysed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction study, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray study and thermogravimetric analysis. A significant increase in mechanical property of modified fibers with respect to the control ones has been observed. The crystallinity and thermal stability of the treated fibers were also found to be changed. These findings strongly suggest that CuNPs can be used as an effective reinforcing agent in natural fibers to improve their mechanical property and durability.

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Acknowledgments

Authors would like to acknowledge Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Malaysia, for funding of this work under the grant number of GRS 110322.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300, Gambang, Kuantan, Malaysia

    M. N. K. Chowdhury, M. D. H. Beg, Maksudur R. Khan & M. F. Mina

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  1. M. N. K. Chowdhury
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  2. M. D. H. Beg
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  3. Maksudur R. Khan
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  4. M. F. Mina
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Correspondence to Maksudur R. Khan.

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Chowdhury, M.N.K., Beg, M.D.H., Khan, M.R. et al. Modification of oil palm empty fruit bunch fibers by nanoparticle impregnation and alkali treatment. Cellulose 20, 1477–1490 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-013-9921-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-013-9921-7

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