Impact of chemical fiber treatments on physical and tensile properties of Rhectophyllum camerunense fibers/ cassava starch biocomposites

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of chemical fiber treatments alkaline (NaOH), benzoylation, and acetylation on the physical and tensile properties of RC fiber/ cassava starch biocomposites. RC fibers were extracted using mechanical lamination followed by water retting, then chemically modified to reduce hydroxyl group activity and enhance fiber–matrix adhesion. We also extracted starch from bitter cassava. Treated and untreated fibers were mixed with cassava starch (CS) through melt blending and compression molding. Physical testing were evaluated by mesuring Water absorption, density, solubility and biodegradability of different biocomposites while tensile performance was assessed via Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The results indicated that chemical treatments significantly reduced moisture uptake and improved interfacial bonding. Alkali-treated composites exhibited an 18% increase in tensile strength, while acetylated fiber composites showed a 32% reduction in water absorption compared to untreated composites. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of chemical surface modification in enhancing the durability and performance of RC/cassava starch biocomposites, highlighting their potential for applications in automotive components, packaging, and sustainable construction materials.