A Comparative Study on the Utilization of Talahib (Saccharum spontaneum) Fibers in

Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites (NFPCs) Based on Chemical Treatments

Used

A science investigatory project plan submitted as partial fulfilment and the requirement in
Research IIB

Group 6 -9-Pascal

Nacpil, Keiffer Eric

Quitiol, Adan Flloyd

Tabarnero, Loerdstein Jyrus

Cezar, Jalen Jhudiel

Ignacio, Kirsten Noelle

Quinto, Noelle Naomi

QUEZON CITY SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL

January 2017
 INTRODUCTION

According to the University of Delawares Center for Composite Materials,

composites are materials made up of other materials mixed together to achieve the best

properties of each product. Composite materials may have additional characteristics like

resistance to moisture or corrosion and usually have more strength or durability than other

products. Some examples of composite materials are fiber cement, fiber-reinforced composite

and thermoplastics or composite wood products (Beach, 2015).

In order to improve the properties of composites with the use of natural resources,

fibers are used as reinforcement for them. These composites are called Natural Fiber-

Reinforced Polymers (NFRP). Natural fibers have low density, low cost, and are

biodegradable. However, natural fibers in composites have poor compatibility between fiber

and matrix and the relative high moisture absorption. Therefore, chemical treatments are

considered in modifying the fiber surface properties (Xue Li, 2007).

According to a review article on natural fiber-reinforced composites, the bonding

strength between fiber and polymer matrix is considered as a major factor in order to get

superior fiber reinforcement composites properties. However, the presence pendant hydroxyl

and polar groups in fiber leads to extremely high moisture absorption, which results in weak

interfacial bonding between the fiber and the hydrophobic matrix polymers. In order to

develop composites with good mechanical properties, chemical modification or treatment of

fibre must be carried out to reduce the hydrophilic behavior of fibers and the absorption of

moisture. The main purpose of surface treatments of natural fibers is to enhance fibre/matrix

interfacial bonding and stress transferability of the composites. A few examples are alkali,

bleaching, peroxide, and acrylation. Commented [NI1]: This part is new because it has info
abput chemical treatments. Source:
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijps/2015/243947/
 From one of the examples, the bleaching treatment makes use of hydrogen peroxide

(H2O2), which is extensively used in the textile industry and medicine. However, only a few

studies have reported about the effect of this treatment on the properties of polymeric

composites. As an oxidizing bleaching agent, H2O2 causes discoloration of fiber. Thus,

better physical appearance of composite can be obtained with incorporation of bleached fiber

into the polymeric composite. The treatment had a positive result with kenaf fibers and 5%

hydrogen peroxide based from a recent research article. Commented [NI2]: This one is also new. It gives some info
about the bleaching treatment. Source:
file:///Users/noelignacio/Downloads/molecules-19-
Natural fibers, in a brief description, are fibers that are not engineered or artificial. 02957%20(1).pdf

They can either be obtained from plants or animals (A. Ticoalu, 2010). Commented [NI3]: Redundant na to pero Ill leave it to
you if okay pa sya or nah.
These plants that produce cellulose fibers can be grouped into bast fibers (jute, flax,

ramie, hemp, and kenaf), seed fibers (cotton, coir, and kapok), leaf fibers (sisal, pineapple,

and abaca), grass and reed fibers (rice, corn, and wheat), and core fibers (hemp, kenaf, and

jute) as well as all other kinds (wood and roots) (Omar Faruk, 2012). Commented [NI4]: I really think that this is out of context
:C
From a recent study regarding the utilization of talahib fibers in NFRPs, an
enzyme called xylanase was used as a coupling agent instead of other more conventional
chemical treatments. Xylanase is a class of enzymes responsible for the degradation of xylan
into xylose. Like any enzyme, xylanase is amphiprotic, making it an environment-friendly
coupling agent for the hydrophilic fibers and the hydrophobic resin matrix of any given
NFRP. In addition, it has an important role in human digestion. This is very useful for smaller Commented [NI5]: This is xylanase info from Sir
Tumolvas paper.
organisms since it permits them to extract supplements from vegetable matter that has many
fibers. These same properties additionally make xylanase industrially essential in light of the
fact that it can separate plant fiber for a variety of uses from dough conditioning to
papermaking (Dr. Edward Group DC, The Health Benefits of Xylanase, 2014).

This paper focuses on the comparison of talahib (Saccharum spontaneum) fiber-

reinforced composite based on the different chemical treatments it will undergo, and whether

or not it will affect the overall quality of the composite.

 MATERIALS AND METHODS

Talahib stalks will be obtained from Quezon City. The leaves will be removed and the
stalks will be cut into 4 inches.

A talahib plant will be brought to Jose Vera Santos Memorial Herbarium, Institute of

Biology, University of the Philippines, Diliman for verification and authentication to make

sure that the plant is a talahib (Saccharum spontaneum) plant.

The materials will be obtained from different locations. 6% hydrogen peroxide will be

obtained from Manila and the xylanase will be obtained from the University of the

Philippines Los Baos, Laguna. Sodium hydroxide and acetic acid will be obtained from

the Green Materials laboratory in UP Diliman, Department of Chemical Engineering

Building together with the lab apparatus. Ethyl acetate, which is a component in the acid

solution, will be obtained from Quezon City Science High School.

For the first fiber mat, which will be produced by treating it with alkali (NaOH)

solution and will be labelled as Fiber mat A, cellulose from the plant will be separated from

the lignin through the pulping method. To do the pulping method, immerse the pieces of

Talahib stalks into aqueous 5% Volume NaOH solution for 2 days. NaOH solution or sodium

hydroxide will be the main key of white liquor solution to separate lignin from cellulose

fibers. Afterwards, they will be cooked for 9 hours and be washed 3 times with distilled water

to neutralize it. They will be cooked in an acid solution to dissolve the lignin and separate the

plant fibers. By combining water, acetic acid, and ethyl acetate will create a remarkable

solvent for dissolving lignin, which makes the glue that will hold wood fibers together after

dissolving lignin as it separates the plant fiber (Young, R.A., (1986, February). The fibers

will also be washed to remove the acid solution, and the pulp will be soft and fibrous. Metal

sheets and clamps will be used as a pulp screen to sweep the mat of pulp out of the water.

While cooking and washing, the waste product called black liquor will be obtained and

removed using a strainer to separate harmful impurities from pulp with minimal fiber loss and
acceptable cost level. Pulp from cooking will always contain some unwanted solid materials.

Some of them may not have been fiberized properly and some of the fibrous material may not

be completely in true form of individual fibers. The fiber mats will be cut into 2 by 2 sized

samples (T. P. Tumolva, 2014).

The fiber mat B will undergo enzymatic treatment with the use of Xylanase. The

fibers will be pre-treated by soaking it with 5% volume alkali (NaOH) solution for 2 days.

After soaking, it will be washed with distilled water to get rid of the excess alkali solution,

then it will be dried for 2 days. The pre-treated fiber will be soaked 100 % by weight

Xylanase in water for 8 hours. Then it will be cooked in acid solution for 9 hours and will be

washed to remove the acid solution. A strainer will be used to get the mat of pulp out of the

water. The mat within the metal sheets with clamps will be put in an oven for 1 hour to dry.

The fiber mat will be cut into 2 by 2 size samples.

The fiber mat C will be produced using fibers that will go through Peroxide

Treatment. Talahib fibers will be treated with 3% peroxide in water for 30 and 45 minutes.

After treatments,the fibers will be washed with distilled water and dried in hot air oven at

50oC for 5 hours. The treated fibers will be cooked in an acid solution for 9 hours and will be

washed to remove the acid solution. A strainer will be used to get the mat of pulp out of the

water. The mat within the metal sheets with clamps will be put in an oven for 1 hour to dry.

The fiber mat will be cut into 2 by 2 size samples.

The fiber mats will be reinforced with unsaturated polyester using three different

coupling agents. The setup will have 3 fiber mats for each type of coupling agent.

When the composite is done, UTM (Universal Testing Machine), which uses Youngs

modulus test, will be used to test its strength. Youngs modulus measures the resistance of a

material to elastic (recoverable) deformation under load. It is equal to elastic stress/strain.

Specific stiffness (more properly called specific modulus) is Youngs modulus/density it is

mostly used for comparing materials so the units are not important (Youngs Modulus and

Specific Stiffness Overview, 2016).

b.) Flexural Test

c.) Water Absorption Test

d.) Tensile Strength Test

The results will be compared to know which treatment will be the most preferable

with natural fibers.

Research Progress

5
x 100 = 62.5%
8
Bibliography

A. Ticoalu, T. A. (2010). A review of current development in natural fiber composites for structural
and infrastructure applications. Southern Region Engineering Conference . Toowoomba,
Australia: University of Southern Queensland .

Beach, E. (2015, August 30). What Are Some Uses of Composite Materials? Retrieved from
Livestrong: http://www.livestrong.com/article/131647-what-are-some-uses-composite-
materials/

Dr. Edward Group DC, N. D. (2014, June 19). The Health Benefits of Xylanase. Retrieved from
Global Healing Center : http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/xylanase/

Omar Faruk, A. K.-P. (2012). Biocomposites reinforced with natural fibers: 20002010. Progress in
Polymer Science, 1552-1596.

T. P. Tumolva, J. P. (2014). Characterization of talahib (Saccharum spontaneum) in natural fiber

reinforced polymer (NFRP) using xylanase as coupling agent. PIChE Journal, Vol. 15 No.2.

Xue Li, L. G. (2007). Chemical Treatments of Natural Fiber for Use in Natural Fiber-Reinforced
Composites: A Review. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 25-33.