Understanding the basic properties of natural fibers is important to determine the optimal intended uses for instance as high-quality bio-composite raw material. This review describes the characteristics, and potential uses of some natural fibers in order to improve their sustainability and economic values. The natural fibers have low density and high strength to weight ratio and reduction make them potential as light weight composite and reinforcement materials. The microstructure and chemical compositions of fibers affect the mechanical properties with the fiber cross-sectional area is the most variable influencing the fiber strength. Natural fibers are easy to absorb water due to the presence of hemicellulose that give hydrophilic properties make them less compatible in the interaction with matrix with hydrophobicity properties. Higher cellulose content and crystallinity tend to result better strength properties of fiber while lignin is since versa. Besides that, fiber anatomical characteristics vary between different and same species that affect on the density and mechanical properties. The other factors namely environmental conditions, method of transportation, storage time and conditions, and fiber extraction affect the size and quality of the natural fibers.

A review on natural fibers for development of eco-friendly bio-composite: characteristics, and utilizations

Environment friendly, renewable and sustainable poly lactic acid (PLA) based natural fiber reinforced composites – A comprehensive review

Lignocellulosic fiber reinforced composites: Progress, performance, properties, applications, and future perspectives

This research was set out to explore the development of arrowroot starch (AS) films using glycerol (G) as plasticizer at the ratio of 15, 30, and 45% (w/w, starch basis) using solution casting technique. The developed films were analyzed in terms of physical, structural, mechanical, thermal, environmental, and barrier properties. The incorporation of glycerol to AS film-making solution reduced the brittleness and fragility of films. An increment in glycerol concentration caused an increment in film thickness, moisture content, and solubility in water, whereas density and water absorption were reduced. The tensile strength and modulus of G-plasticized AS films were reduced significantly from 9.34 to 1.95 MPa and 620.79 to 36.08 MPa, respectively, while elongation at break was enhanced from 2.41 to 57.33%. FTIR analysis revealed that intermolecular hydrogen bonding occurred between glycerol and AS in plasticized films compared to control films. The G-plasticized films showed higher thermal stability than control films. The cross-sectional micrographs revealed that the films containing 45% glycerol concentration had higher homogeneity than 15% and 30%. Water vapour permeability of plasticized films increased by an increase in glycerol concentrations. The findings of this research provide insights into the development of bio-degradable food packaging.

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Effect of glycerol plasticizer loading on the physical, mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) starch biopolymers.

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a thermoplastic polymer produced from lactic acid that has been chiefly utilized in biodegradable material and as a composite matrix material. PLA is a prominent biomaterial that is widely used to replace traditional petrochemical-based polymers in various applications owing environmental concerns. Green composites have gained greater attention as ecological consciousness has grown since they have the potential to be more appealing than conventional petroleum-based composites, which are toxic and nonbiodegradable. PLA-based composites with natural fiber have been extensively utilized in a variety of applications, from packaging to medicine, due to their biodegradable, recyclable, high mechanical strength, low toxicity, good barrier properties, friendly processing, and excellent characteristics. A summary of natural fibers, green composites, and PLA, along with their respective properties, classification, functionality, and different processing methods, are discussed to discover the natural fiber-reinforced PLA composite material development for a wide range of applications. This work also emphasizes the research and properties of PLA-based green composites, PLA blend composites, and PLA hybrid composites over the past few years. PLA’s potential as a strong material in engineering applications areas is addressed. This review also covers issues, challenges, opportunities, and perspectives in developing and characterizing PLA-based green composites.

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Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polylactic Acid, Polylactic Acid Blends and Their Composites for Advanced Applications

Renewable and sustainable biobased materials: An assessment on biofibers, biofilms, biopolymers and biocomposites

This work reports the fabrication of a novel polyvinyl alcohol/agar/ZSM-5 zeolite membrane for the removal of Congo red from aqueous streams. The membranes were characterized by microscopic techniques (scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM)), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), universal testing machine (UTM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and contact angle analysis. Successful incorporation of zeolite in membrane was confirmed by XRD and SEM analysis. FT-IR data confirmed the physicochemical interaction between the polymer and the zeolite particles. Thermal and mechanical stability of the membrane was confirmed by TGA and UTM analysis. Contact angle and swelling measurements indicate that zeolite plays a key role in controlling the hydrophilicity of the membrane. The influence of operational parameter (zeolite content, initial concentration of Congo red, contact time, pH, ionic strength and temperature) on the adsorption process was summarized. The results showed that under the optimal conditions (zeolite content: 5 wt%; initial CR concentration: 10 ppm, temperature: 30 °C and pH 3) the membrane exhibits high adsorption capacity (qe). Adsorption kinetics results indicate that adsorption follow pseudo-second-order model. Adsorption isotherm examination demonstrates that adsorption process could be described in well manner by Freundlich isotherm model. The inhibitory effect of membrane on the growth of Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive) bacteria was confirmed by agar disk diffusion test. The adsorption–desorption analysis indicates that the membrane possesses good regeneration capacity. Thus, PVA/agar/ZSM-5 zeolite membrane could be potentially useful as an adsorbent for Congo red from water.

Parameswaranpillai Jyotishkumar

Papers

Renewable and sustainable biobased materials: An assessment on biofibers, biofilms, biopolymers and biocomposites

Fabrication of PVA/agar/modified ZSM-5 zeolite membrane for removal of anionic dye from aqueous solution

ポリビニルアルコール,キトサンおよび蜂蜜からの低コストで環境に優しい膜:合成,キャラクタリゼーションおよび抗菌性【jst・京大機械翻訳】