Research Article Open Access

Surface Chemical Treatments of Jute Fiber for High Value Composite Uses

Abstract

In order to confer hydrophobicity, higher mechanical and thermal properties, jute fiber has been chemically modified by means of NaClO2 bleaching, acrylonitrile (AN) grafting and diphenylmethanediisocyanate (DPMIC) treatment. The extent of modification reaction is evaluated by FTIR measurement. Morphologies and crystalline index of jute fibers are investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and wide angle X-ray diffractometer (WAXD). A significant variation in fibre surface occurred by chemical treatments is clearly observed in SEM images. It has been found that tensile properties (tensile strength, extension at break and Young's modulus) are substantial improved by AN-grafting and DPMIC treatment. Based on findings of hydrophobicity, the DPMIC treated fiber has been showed better properties than other fibers. Chemical treatment also increases the thermal stability. The TG and DTA curves show two-stages of decomposition for all the fibres; first below 100°C indicating the moisture loss and the second between 320°C and 360°C due to major degradation of fibre.

GM Arifuzzaman Khan and Md Shamsul Alam

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