Browsing by Author "Walter, P. E."

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    Effects of chemical surface modifications on combretumdolichopetalum fiber for sustainable applications
    (U. P., 2016-01) Walter, P. E.; Azeez, T. O.; Onukwuli, O. D.; Atuanya, C. U.
    The need to minimize the environmental effect posed by Combretum dolichopetalum(C. dolichopetalum) fiber and its effective use in polymer applications necessitated this study. Effect of chemical surface treatments onC. dolichopetalum fiberfor sustainable applications was aimed to be investigated. Retting method was employed for extraction of C. dolichopetalum fiber and the proximate contents were determined using gravimetric analysis. The fibers were mercerized and acetylated separately by 0 – 15 % within time intervals of 10 – 50 minutes and 30 – 150 minutes respectively at room temperature. The tensile strength in accordance with ASTM standards, aspect ratio, water absorption and microstructural analysis were studied with aids of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The result shows that the fibers contain 59.22 % cellulose, 20.30 % hemicelluloses, 2.40 % lignin, 9.32 % pectin, 4.08 % moisture and 2.26 % wax. The tensile strength of the mercerized and acetylated fibers increased by 877.58 % and 601.73 % of the unmodified fibers at 6 and 12 % concentration for 30 minutes due to increased aspect ratio with reduced density and water adsorption. SEM and FTIR studies revealed changes in surface topography and surface chemistry of the treated fibers.