Abstract
Moroccan Alfa plant (Stipatenacissima L) was investigated using several techniques: chemical composition, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), crystallinity index determined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The raw fiber contained 39.53 wt% of cellulose, 27.63 wt% of hemicellulose, and 19.53 wt% of lignin. The longitudinal view by SEM confirmed the bundle shape. Moreover, a homogeneous distribution of various particles called trichomes with regular forms was recorded. The aim of the research is to improve the properties of Alfa fibers via a mild and effective technique in order to proceed their utilization in construction. To modify the surface, fibers were treated by sodium hydroxide (6 wt%) and hydrothermal treatment at different times. A comparison was carried on the untreated and treated Alfa fibers by several techniques. Enhanced properties were obtained with 6 h of treatment by sodium hydroxide and 1 h by hydrothermal treatment. Both treatments exhibit a modification of the fibers microstructure and morphology; FTIR and chemical analysis confirmed the hemicellulose and lignin reduction after 6 h of alkali treatment and 1 h of hydrothermal treatment. As a result, an improvement of the crystallinity index was noticed. SEM micrographs also confirmed an enhancement of the fibers roughness after treatment.
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Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the Moroccan Center for Analysis and Characterization (CAC) affiliated to Cadi Ayyad University, for providing some sample characterizations. A special acknowledgment is expressed to CNRST (National Center for Scientific and Technical Research -Morocco) for the Merit Scholarship No. 16UCA2017.
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Ajouguim, S., Abdelouahdi, K., Waqif, M. et al. Modifications of Alfa fibers by alkali and hydrothermal treatment. Cellulose 26, 1503–1516 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-2181-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-2181-9