article · International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization
Napier grass, a highly productive tropical perennial grass primarily grown as animal forage, yields natural lignocellulosic fibre strands that can be extracted and modified for technical use. Treating these extracted fibres with glacial acetic acid solutions at concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 percent for two hours modifies their structure and performance. The chemical treatment reduces amorphous hemicellulose content and causes variation in surface functional groups. This removal of the hemicellulose layer roughens the fibre surface while increasing overall strand crystallinity. Crucially, the acid treatment improves both the tensile strength and thermal stability of the strands. Relative to other natural fibres, modified Napier grass fibres demonstrate competitive characteristics, offering potential for development as reinforcements in polymer matrix composites.
Natural fibres provide a renewable alternative to synthetic reinforcements in composite materials. Demonstrating that high-yield crops such as Napier grass can be chemically upgraded to boost mechanical strength and heat resistance expands the raw material options for bio-based composites. This supports broader industrial efforts to substitute petroleum-derived or synthetic fibres with renewable, plant-derived alternatives.
The findings point towards applications in polymer matrix composites, of interest to composite material developers and bio-based manufacturers. The research remains at an early laboratory stage, focused on extraction, chemical modification, and basic material characterisation. Progression towards commercial use will require further composite formulation, compatibility testing with specific polymer matrices, and processing scale-up beyond bench-scale chemical treatment.
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Napier grass is a high-productivity perennial grass that is a very important forage for animals in the tropics. In this research work, fiber strands from Napier grass were extracted and the effect of acetic acid treatment on their chemical composition, morphological and structural changes, and tensile and thermal properties was studied. The acid treatment was carried out using glacial acetic acid solution at three different concentrations (5, 10, and 15%) for 2 h. Chemical analysis indicated lowering of amorphous hemicellulose content on acid treatment. FT-IR spectroscopic studies revealed variation of functional groups on acid treatment. Scanning electron micrographs indicated roughening of the surface of the fiber strands due to the removal of the hemicellulose layer on acid treatment. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated an increase in crystallinity of the fiber strands on acid treatment. The thermal stability and tensile properties of the fiber strands increased on acid treatment. This fiber has competitive advantages when evaluated with other natural fibers and can be developed further as a potential reinforcement in polymer matrix composites.
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DOI: 10.1080/1023666x.2015.1089650
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