School of Egineering and Engineering Technology

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Browsing School of Egineering and Engineering Technology by Subject "acetylation"

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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.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Influence of chemical surface modifications on mechanical properties of combretum dolichopetalum fibre-high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites
    (U. P., 2018) Azeez, Taofik Oladimeji; Onukwuli, Okechukwu Dominic; Walter, Peter Echeng; Menkiti, Mathew Chukwudi
    Maximizing the use of natural fibres as ecofriendly materials in polymer composite applications reduces its threat posed to human through increased biomass in the environment. In this study, the effect of chemical surface modifications using acetic anhydride and sodium hydroxide solution on the mechanical properties of Combretum dolichopetalum fibre-HDPE composites was aimed to be investigated. Fibres were treated with 6 % acetic anhydride and 12 % NaOH solutions for 30 minutes at room temperature based on optimum treatment conditions after water retting extraction process, then, the composites were prepared. The mechanical properties (tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, hardness and impact strength) of the C. dolichopetalum fibre reinforced HDPE matrix composites and scanning electron microscope analysis were studied. C. dolichopetalum fibre was not only effective as reinforcement of HDPE matrix but mercerization and acetylation of C. dolichopetalum fibre ultimately enhanced the mechanical properties of HDPE composites. Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed that HDPE matrix possess better adhesive interaction with acetylated and mercerized C. dolichopetalum fibre compared with untreated C. dolichopetalum fibre at ultimate tensile strength.