Short communication: Alkaline surface modification of banana stem fibres

One of the important issues in producing composite materials with natural fibres is the modification of the surface of the fibres to enhance adhesion and interfacial bonding with polymer matrix. In this report, the effect of alkalization on the mechanical properties, thermal stability and surface morphology of banana stem fibres is examined. The results show that treatment with sodium hydroxide modified the surface of the fibre, attenuating IR absorption intensities at 1733cm -1 corresponding to reduction of C=O groups, at 1514cm -1 and between 3000 and 2850cm -1 associated with reduction/removal of low molecular weight constituents of the fibres. It was found that alkali-treatment improved both tensile and flexural strengths, and the thermal stability of the fibres. Nigerian Journal of Chemical Research Vol. 11 2006: pp. 36-42