TITLE:
Preparation and Characterization of Raw and Chemically Modified Sponge-Gourd Fiber Reinforced Polylactic Acid Biocomposites
AUTHORS:
Taimur -Al-Mobarak, Md. Abdul Gafur, Md. Forhad Mina
KEYWORDS:
Sponge-Gourd Fiber, Polylactic Acid, Chemical Modification, Biocomposites, Antibacterial Activities
JOURNAL NAME:
Materials Sciences and Applications,
Vol.9 No.2,
February
14,
2018
ABSTRACT: This research work has been undertaken to fabricate environmentally
friendly biocomposites for biomedical and household applications. Sponge-gourd
fibers (SGF) obtained from Luffa
cylindrica plant were chemically treated separately using 5 and 10 wt%
NaOH, acetic anhydride and benzoyl chloride solutions. SGF reinforced
polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites were fabricated using melt compounding
technique. Surface morphological, structural, mechanical and thermal
properties, as well as antibacterial activities of raw and chemically modified
SGF reinforced PLA (SGF-PLA) composites were characterized by field emission
scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray
diffractometry, universal testing method, thermogravimetry, and Kirby-Bauer
agar diffusion method, respectively. Surface morphology indicates that after
treatment of fibers, the interfacial adhesion between PLA and fibers is
improved. X-ray diffractometry result shows that chemical treatment of fibers
improves the crystallinity and exhibits new chemical bond formation in the
composites. After chemical treatment, compressive strength of the composites is
found to increase by 10% - 35%. The thermal stability of the treated fiber reinforced composites is
also found to increase significantly. The composites have no antibacterial
activities and no cytotoxic effect on non-cancer cell line. Soil burial test
has confirmed that the composites are biodegradable. Benzoyl chloride treatment
of fibers shows superior mechanical properties and enhances thermal stability
among the composites.