Preparation and Characterization of Polymeric Composite Materials Using Natural Fibers in Bangladesh Environment

Abstract

Natural fibers have drawn a lot of interest for the use of reinforcing materials in composites as a sustainable and renewable resource. By adopting a compression molding technique and varying fiber contents (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 wt%), short date palm mat (DPM) fiber reinforced HDPE and polystyrene (PS) composites were prepared. Physical, mechanical, structural, thermal, morphological, and biodegradation properties were examined. 10% DPM fiber reinforced composites exhibited optimum mechanical properties. The DPM fibers were subjected to different percentages of NaOH treatment to enhance the fiber-matrix adhesion. The maximum value of mechanical properties was attained for the composites treated with 5% NaOH. ZnO nanoparticles as nano filler was also used to improve the mechanical properties of the composites. The composites with 3% ZnO nanoparticles showed highest mechanical properties. The produced optimized samples were exposed to various gamma radiation doses, and the results for all types of composites were best when exposed to 5 kGy of gamma radiation. Further, three fire retardant additives namely, monosodium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate and magnesium hydroxide were used in the composites and monoammonium phosphate displayed best fire retardant properties. A biodegradable composite was developed using various percentages of DPM fiber and polylactic acid (PLA). 10% DPM fiber reinforced PLA composite presented highest results. A hybrid composite was made using date palm mat (DPM) and palmyra palm fruit (PPF) fiber with HDPE matrix. A hybrid composite with 5% fiber content achieved better properties. Crystalline nanocellulose were extracted from DPM fibers and used to prepare nanocomposite films. 9% crystalline nanocellulose containing nanocomposite films revealed highest mechanical properties. The characteristics of these newly created composites indicate potential applications in various fields.