DefinePK

Abstract

Coconut fibre can be potentially used as one of the most crucial resources in the development of biodegradable polymer composites due to its excellent renewability and environmental friendliness. In this study, the coconut fibre was modified through alkali treatment (mercerization), and was integrated with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) via solution casting method. The modified composites film produced was compared with the non-modified composites film in the aspect of tensile properties, hardness, thermal properties, morphology, as well as the moisture sensitivity. Besides, the effect of the composition of the treated and untreated fibre on the composites was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs suggested that, the treated fibre which had better adhesion with the polymer matrix produced stronger composites. Tensile test results proved that the Young’s modulus of the composites could be improved with the increase of fibre loading, and the enhancing effect was greater with the treated fibre. Hardness test showed that the increase of fibre increased the hardness, but high degree of alkalinity of the composites reduced its hardness. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) verified that the degradation temperature of the composites could be improved by increasing the filler content, but its thermal properties could be degraded with the presence of voids and pores in the matrix. Moisture experiment suggested that, the increment of treated fibre reduced the moisture sensitivity of the composites. Thus treated coconut fibre reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol) exhibited better properties than untreated fibre.