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

February 2017
 Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare which easily attainable chemical treatment

would greatly contribute to the formulation of talahib NFPC. The treatments compared were the

alkali treatment, which mainly uses sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and the bleaching treatment,

which uses hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). They were compared based on tensile strength and

moisture content that are essential in distinguishing an efficient talahib NFPC. The Universal

Testing Machine evaluated the tensile properties of the NFPC. The moisture absorption was

obtained through gravimetric analysis. From the tests, the talahib NFPC that underwent the alkali

treatment yielded the highest results. This study determined a highly recommended treatment for

formulating a talahib NFPC that could be consumable for industrial purposes.

Introduction
 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 [ CITATION Emi15 \l 1033 ].

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 [CITATION Xue07 \l 1033 ].

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

fiber 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 fiber/matrix

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

bleaching, peroxide, and acrylation. [CITATION Lay15 \l 1033 ]

The bleaching treatment mainly uses hydrogen peroxide (H 2O2), 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.[ CITATION Raz14 \l 1033 ]

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. [ CITATION TPT14 \l 1033 ]

Talahib (Saccharum spontanuem) plant is a locally abundant wild species of grass that

grows in a variety of habitats at different altitudes in the tropics through the temperate regions.

Its strong disease resistance and high stress tolerance makes it highly adaptable and prolific

even with disturbance prone and changeable habitats, thereby ensuring perennial availability

of fiber supply across the country [ CITATION TPT14 \l 13321 ]. However, talahib plants are

considered as an agricultural problem to many farmers in the Philippines due to their nutrient

absorbing properties, which damages other plants near it, thus becoming a threat to crops.

Because of this, they are often cut and thrown away, which is ineffective due to their massive

production. To resolve the problem, a possible solution is found. Talahib fibers may be used as a

fiber-reinforcement in producing composites. The utilization of talahib as a source of continuous

fiber reinforcement is primarily attributed to its cellulose content, which is comparable to those

of other sources of plant fibers. However, only a few studies were conducted focusing on the said

plant fiber and one of them proved that talahib NFPC with xylanase was efficient, especially in

tensile properties.
 This paper focuses on the comparison of talahib fiber-reinforced composite based on

different and easily attainable chemical treatments it will undergo, and whether or not it will

affect the overall quality of the composite in terms of tensile and moisture properties.

Using talahib as reinforcement to Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

(NFPCs) is very helpful to the environment. Talahib does not have any specific use here in the

Philippines, albeit being abundant. It is usually thrown away and burned, increasing waste and

pollution. It is also very harmful to other plants, especially in farms, because talahib absorbs all

the nutrients meant for the other plants. Its abundance and nutrient absorbing properties can be

benefited from. It is easy to find and obtaining it does not pose any threat to the environment.

The talahib plants are also usually very healthy, and are not easily disposed or destroyed by

outside factors. And due to its high cellulose content, its fibers are high in tensile strength, which

is a huge factor in formulating NFRPs.

Materials and Methods

Collection of Materials
 Talahib stalks were obtained from Quezon City. The leaves were removed and the stalks

were cut into 100 mm. A talahib plant was brought to Jose Vera Santos Memorial Herbarium,

Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines, Diliman for verification and authentication.

The other materials were obtained from different locations. Five percent (5%) hydrogen

peroxide was obtained from an unnamed store in Blumentritt, Manila and the xylanase was

obtained from the University of the Philippines Los Baos, Laguna. Sodium hydroxide and

acetic acid were both obtained from the Green Materials laboratory in University of the

Philippines - Diliman, Department of Chemical Engineering Building together. Ethyl acetate,

which is a component in the acid solution, was obtained from Chemline Scientific Corporation,

Tandang Sora, Quezon City. The orthophthalic unsaturated polyester resin matrix (R10-103),

which was used for fabrication, was purchased from Polymer Products Philippines, Inc.

Alkali Treatment

Fiber mat A was produced by treating the talahib stalks with alkali (NaOH) solution. The

pieces of talahib stalks were immersed into aqueous 5% volume sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

solution for 2 days. Cellulose from the plant was separated from the lignin through the pulping

method. The NaOH solution was the main key of white liquor solution to separate lignin from

cellulose fibers. Afterwards, they were cooked for 5 hours and washed 3 times with distilled

water to neutralize it. They were cooked in an acid solution to dissolve the lignin and separate

the plant fibers. By combining water, acetic acid, and ethyl acetate a remarkable solvent for

dissolving lignin was created, which makes the glue that holds wood fibers together as it

separates the plant fiber (Young, R.A., (1986, February). The fibers were also washed to remove

the acid solution, and the pulp became soft and fibrous. A screen was used to sweep the mat of

pulp out of the water. While cooking and washing, the waste product called black liquor was
obtained and removed using a strainer to separate harmful impurities from pulp with minimal

fiber loss and acceptable cost level. Pulp from cooking always contains 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. A screen was used to get the mat of pulp

out of the water. The paper side of the screen was dried against a dry absorbent and the mat was

put in a hot air oven for 1 hour to dry. It was then cut into 30mm by 30mm size samples

[CITATION TPT14 \l 1033 ].

Xylanase Treatment

Fiber mat A underwent enzymatic treatment with the use of xylanase after the alkali

treatment. The pre-treated fiber was soaked 100 % by weight xylanase in water (1 ml of xylanase

and 7000 enzyme units) for 8 hours. The paper side of the screen was dried against a dry

absorbent and the mat was put in a hot air oven for 1 hour to dry. It was then cut into 30mm by

30mm size samples [CITATION TPT14 \l 1033 ].

Bleaching Treatment

Fiber mat B was produced using fibers that went through Bleaching Treatment. Talahib

fibers were treated with 5% peroxide for 60 min at pH 11 and the temperature was maintained at

80 C in water bath. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with concentration of 0.5 M was used to adjust

the pH until the solution reached pH11 [ CITATION Raz14 \l 13321 ]. The fiber was then

thoroughly washed with distilled water and a screen was used to get the mat of pulp out of the

water. The mat was dried in an oven at 60 C for 48 h. The fiber mat was then cut into 30mm by

30mm size samples.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 1. (a) Fiber mat with no treatment (b) Xylanase treated fiber mat (c) Bleach treated fiber

mat.

Fabrication of NFPC

Flat bars designed to follow ASTM D638 were used as a mold to fabricate the talahib

fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester composite samples. Durawax was applied on the mold

as a release agent prior to NFRP lamination [ CITATION TPT14 \l 13321 ].

The fiber mats were laminated into the polyester by hand layup technique. The matrix

was prepared by adding hardener to the resin at 2.75% by weight, and then pouring the mixture

by portions unto the fiber mats that had been initially soaked with the resin and then placed and

arranged onto the mold. The samples are then cured using a thermal press for 6-7 hours

[ CITATION TPT14 \l 13321 ].

Testing

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

modulus test, was used to test its strength along with tensile strength test. 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).

 The composites initial thickness and weight were recorded before soaking them in water.

The samples were soaked for five minutes to compare their water absorption capabilities. After

this, the samples were left to dry for 2 minutes and then their weights were measured and

compared. A swelling test was conducted under this phase to see the effect of water absorption

on the composites. The data obtained distinguished which composite had lower values from the

tests conducted.

The results were compared to know which treatment will yield the ideal talahib NFPC

with xylanase based from their tensile, flexural, and water absorption properties.
 Results and Discussion

Results

Table 1. Result of tensile strength test.

Sample Result

No Treatment 2.65 Newton/30mm

A 5.59 Newton/30mm

B <0.1 Newton/30mm

The Universal Testing Machine (UTM) was used to measure the tensile strength of each

sample. Table 1 indicates that Sample A has the highest tensile strength (5.59 Newton/30mm)

among the samples.

Table 2. Result of water absorption test.

Sample Result

No Treatment 24.01%

A 35.47%

B 19.73%

The sample that yielded the highest water absorption capacity (35.47%) through

gravimetric analysis is Sample A.

Discussion

The talahib composite that underwent the alkali treatment showed the best results. It had

the highest tensile strength (5.59 N/30mm) and moisture content (35.47%), which greatly affects

the overall quality of the composite.

The composite that had undergone the bleaching treatment yielded extremely low tensile

strength, due to the presence of oxygen in the treatment, which had caused its temperature to rise

significantly, and had lowered the amount of moisture inside the composite. The composite had

moisture content almost below the ideal saturation level, which is 19% moisture content and

above [ CITATION Glo17 \l 1033 ].

The researchers encountered a problem that affected the production of the composite. In

dissolving the lignin of the fibers, the Ethyl Acetate, which was one of the components of the

solvent, had evaporated immediately. In order for the Ethyl Acetate to not evaporate, the

container where the lignins of the fibers are being dissolved should be covered. Another factor

that contributed greatly to its evaporation was the amount of Ethyl Acetate in the mixture, where

there should only be at most 60% of it in the mixture.

 Conclusion

The chemical treatment that yielded the best results was the alkali treatment. Therefore,

this determined a highly recommended treatment for formulating a talahib NFPC that could be

consumable for industrial purposes.

Recommendations

1. The effect of the temperature on the fiber mats alone should be studied.
2. The effect of the weight of the talahib fibers on the formulation of the composite should

be further studied.

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