Chemical surface modification of pineapple leaf fiber for polymer composites applications: Comparative study

Abstract

The sizing of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) using cornstarch, polyvinyl acetate (PVA), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was analyzed, incorporating glycerol and urea as a plasticizer and stabilizer, respectively. The impact of various sizing agents on the physical properties of PALF was evaluated. A comparison between treated and untreated PALF was conducted using FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and tenacity testing. The thermal stability of PALF improved with PVA treatment, showing decomposition temperatures of 363.831°C after modification compared to 343.163°C before modification. Conversely, CMC and cornstarch did not affect PALF's thermal stability. The tenacity test revealed that untreated PALF had the highest breaking force, while the elongation at break increased after sizing. The drying rate of PALF decreased post-sizing, whereas water absorption increased with CMC, PVA, and cornstarch treatments. Overall, sizing agents enhanced the handling and physical properties of PALF, indicating its potential as an alternative material source for textile applications.