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Title: Effect of kenaf fiber age on PLLA composite properties

Author
item OGBOMO, SUNNY - University Of North Texas
item AYRE, BRIAN - University Of North Texas
item Webber Iii, Charles
item D'SOUZA, NANDIKA - University Of North Texas

Submitted to: Polymer Composites
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/13/2013
Publication Date: 5/1/2014
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/59433
Citation: Ogbomo, S.M., Ayre, B., Webber III, C.L., D'Souza, N.A. 2014. Effect of kenaf fiber age on PLLA composite properties. Polymer Composites. 35(5):915-924. DOI: 10.1002/PC.22735.

Interpretive Summary: The pore architecture within kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) bast fibers is influenced by the age of the plant at harvest. Therefore, the plant maturity at harvest can impact the selection of biomaterial for enhanced composite performance. Bast fibers from the bark of kenaf (a warm-season tropical herbaceous annual plant) stems of different maturity levels were extracted and then dispersed into Poly-Llactide (PLLA) matrix by melt blending, followed by compression molding. The resulting biobased hybrid polymer materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) were conducted. DSC and XRD indicated that the kenaf was effective in promoting crystallization. TGA indicated that the thermal stability of composites is reduced compared to PLLA, but the sample with 120 – 150 improved thermal stability compared to the rest. SEM and Optical Microscopy show good fiber dispersion while Dynamic Mechanical Test revealed increased modulus.

Technical Abstract: The age of the kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) fiber dictates its pore architecture. The impact of increasing age of plant fiber on the corresponding composite can impact material selection for enhanced composite performance. Bast fibers stems of kenaf, a warm season tropical herbaceous annual plant extracted corresponding to different age, were dispersed into Poly-Llactide (PLLA) matrix by melt blending followed by compression molding. The resulting biobased hybrid polymer materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) were conducted. DSC and XRD indicated that the kenaf was effective in promoting crystallization. TGA indicated that the thermal stability of composites is reduced compared to PLLA, but the sample with 120 – 150 improved thermal stability compared to the rest. SEM and Optical Microscopy show good fiber dispersion while Dynamic Mechanical Test revealed increased modulus.