Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of Alkali Treatment on the Properties of Short Flax Fiber–Poly(Lactic Acid) Eco-Composites

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Polymers and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, the influence of alkali (NaOH) treatment on the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of eco-composites of short flax fiber/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was investigated. SEM analysis conducted on alkali treated flax fibers showed that the packed structure of the fibrils was deformed by the removal non-cellulosic materials. The fibrils were separated from each other and the surface roughness of the alkali treated flax fibers was improved. The mechanical tests indicated that the modulus of the untreated fiber/PLA composites was higher than that of PLA; on the other hand the modulus of alkali treated flax fiber/PLA was lower than PLA. Thermal properties of the PLA in the treated flax fiber composites were also affected. Tg values of treated flax fiber composites were lowered by nearly 10 °C for 10% NaOH treatment and 15 °C for 30% NaOH treatment. A bimodal melting behavior was observed for treated fiber composites different than both of neat PLA and untreated fiber composites. Furthermore, wide angle X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the crystalline structure of cellulose of flax fibers changed from cellulose-I structure to cellulose-II.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Netravali AN, Chabba S (2003) Mater Today 6:22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Srebrenkoska V, Gaceva GB, Dimeski D (2009) Maced J Chem Chem Eng 28:99

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Li X, Tabil LG, Panigrahi S (2007) J Environ Polym Degrad 15:25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Shanks RA, Hodzic A, Ridderhof D (2006) J Appl Polym Sci 99:2305

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Iannace S, Nocilla G, Nicolais L (1999) J Appl Polym Sci 73:583

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Wong S, Shanks RA, Hodzic A (2007) Compos Sci Technol 67:2478

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Luo S, Netravali A (1999) Polym Compos 20:367

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Racz I, Hargitai H (2000) Int J Polym Mater 47:667

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Wambua P, Ivens J, Verpoest I (2003) Compos Sci Technol 63:1259

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Bogoeva-Gaceva G, Avella M, Malinconico M, Buzarovska A, Grozdanov A, Gentile G, Errico ME (2007) Polym Compos 28:98

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Mishra S, Misra M, Tripathy SS, Nayak SK, Mohanty AK (2002) Polym Compos 23:164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Mohanty AK, Misra M, Drzal LT (2001) Compos Interface 8:313

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Van Den Oever MJA, Bos HL, Van Kemenade MJJM (2000) Appl Compos Mater 7:387

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Nielsen LE, Landel RF (1994) Mechanical properties of polymers. Marcel Dekker Inc., New York

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ozkoc G, Kemaloglu S (2009) J Appl Polym Sci 114:2481

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Pluta M, Paul MA, Alexandre M, Dubois PJ (2006) Polym Sci B 44:299

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Qin C, Soykeabkaew N, Xiuyuan N, Peijs T (2008) Carbohydr Polym 71:458

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Ouajai S, Hodzic A, Shanks RA (2004) J Appl Polym Sci 94:2456

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

This study was conducted as an undergraduate thesis at Kocaeli University, Department of Chemical Engineering.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Kocaeli University, 41380, Kocaeli, Turkey

    Merlin Aydın, Hale Tozlu, Sebnem Kemaloglu, Ayse Aytac & Guralp Ozkoc

Authors
  1. Merlin Aydın
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hale Tozlu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sebnem Kemaloglu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ayse Aytac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Guralp Ozkoc
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guralp Ozkoc.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Aydın, M., Tozlu, H., Kemaloglu, S. et al. Effects of Alkali Treatment on the Properties of Short Flax Fiber–Poly(Lactic Acid) Eco-Composites. J Polym Environ 19, 11–17 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-010-0233-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-010-0233-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation