KOH Treatment and its Impact on the Properties of Sansevieria trifasciata Fibers and their Composites: A Chemical-Physical-Mechanical Analysis

Abstract

The essential objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of KOH concentration (7.5, 12.5, and 25 %) g/L on the modification of the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of individual fibers and composites obtained from Sansevieria trifasciata leaves. The fibers were extracted using the water retting method and selected via stereoscopy for the alkaline process, mechanical treatment, and physical and chemical testing. Characterization comprised the quantification of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, surface analysis and cross-sectional measurement via scanning electron microscopy, and uniaxial tensile testing. The results show that increasing the percentage of KOH altered the chemical composition of the fibers, decreasing the percentages of lignin and hemicellulose and increasing the percentage of cellulose. In conclusion, ANOVA analyses indicate that treatment of the fibers with KOH significantly influences the mechanical characteristics and tensile strength of the fiber.