article · Solid State Science and Technology
This study is on the agricultural biomass waste material corn-husk (CH) fibers by blending it into polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polymer. The polymer served as matrix while the corn-husk fibers were used as fillers. The corn-husk fibers were modified chemically by NaOH treatment to enhance their compatibility with the PCL blend. Unlike previous studies that focused on untreated natural fibers, this work investigates the impact of alkali modification on the fiber-matrix interaction and overall composite performance. The corn husk were treated with different proportions of alkali (5, 10, 15 and 20 mL) of 2 % aqueous alkali solution to improve their compatibility with PCL. The composites were prepared via melt compounding using a twin-screw extruder and compression molding for the different alkali treated fibers. The effect of the treatment ratio on the morphological, mechanical and thermal properties of the CH/PCL composites were investigated. The study reveals a substantial improvement in mechanical properties, with tensile strength increasing from 5.5 MPa (untreated) to 10.73 MPa at an optimal 10 mL NaOH treatment, demonstrating nearly a hundred percent enhancement over conventional untreated biocomposites. Morphological and thermal analyses confirm improved fiber dispersion and interfacial adhesion, contributing to superior composite stability. Notably, excessive alkali treatment led to fiber degradation, negatively impacting mechanical integrity. This research advances the field by establishing an optimized treatment threshold that maximizes reinforcement efficiency, setting it apart from prior works that lacked systematic treatment optimization. The findings highlights the potential of CH/PCL composites in biodegradable packaging and sustainable material applications, offering a viable route toward high-performance eco-friendly alternatives in line with circular economy principles and promoting environmental sustainability.
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DOI: 10.66514/ssst33-1-1-13
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