review · Journal of Natural Fibers
Natural fibre-reinforced composites offer environmentally friendly substitutes for conventional materials across various sectors. However, their broader adoption in high-performance roles is constrained by the natural fibres' hydrophilic nature, poor matrix compatibility, low thermal stability, and weak interfacial bonding. Conventional surface modifications using organic compounds, such as alkaline, silane, acetylation, and physical treatments, remain inadequate for structural and high-temperature environments. Treating natural fibre surfaces with zinc oxide nanoparticles before composite preparation emerges as an inorganic alternative to overcome these performance barriers. Evaluating the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticle treatments provides insight into enhancements across mechanical performance, thermal behaviour, and water resistance. Identifying remaining gaps and future research avenues helps guide further developments in establishing robust natural fibre-reinforced materials.
Synthetic materials frequently carry high environmental footprints, making natural fibre composites an attractive alternative. Overcoming performance weaknesses, such as water absorption and vulnerability to heat, is essential for these bio-based alternatives to compete with conventional options. Understanding nanoparticle-based surface modifications offers a pathway toward durable, heat-resistant, and sustainable materials suitable for demanding operational conditions.
The review targets structural and high-temperature industrial sectors seeking greener composite materials. By focusing on mechanical strength, thermal stability, and moisture resistance, zinc oxide nanoparticle surface treatments could enable more resilient bio-based components. As a literature review mapping recent experimental methods and identifying future research needs, this work reflects an early-stage research level rather than an immediately deployable commercial process.
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Natural fiber-reinforced composites have attracted considerable attention as variable and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional materials in various industries. However, the development of high-performance natural fiber composites currently faces challenges due to the hydrophilic nature of natural fibers, incompatibility with the matrix, thermal instability, and poor interfacial bonding. To address these challenges, researchers have explored surface treatments, such as alkaline, silane, acetylation, and physical treatments. Unfortunately, such composites with organic compounds are not feasible in structural and high-temperature applications. Therefore, a potential solution lies in the application of ZnO nanoparticles for the surface treatment of natural fibers before preparing fiber-reinforced composites. In light of the aforementioned points, this paper aims to review the impact of using ZnO nanoparticle surface-treated natural fibers in composites, focusing on their mechanical, thermal, and water resistance properties. The review also highlights avenues for future research in this domain.
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DOI: 10.1080/15440478.2024.2311304
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