Physico-chemical, Tensile, and Thermal Characterization of Napier Grass (Native African) Fiber Strands

This article presents the extraction and effect of alkali treatment on the physical, chemical, tensile, and thermal characteristics of fiber strands obtained from Napier grass, a renewable biomass. In order to improve these properties, the Napier grass fiber strands were treated with sodium hydroxide. The alkali treatment was carried out using NaOH solution at three different concentrations (5, 10, and 15%) for 2 h. Characterization of untreated and alkali-treated Napier grass fiber strands was carried out by studying the chemical composition, surface morphology, functional group variation, crystallinity, and tensile and thermal behavior. It was found that untreated fiber strands have lower cellulose content, crystallinity, tensile properties, and thermal stability than alkali-treated fiber strands. Napier grass fiber strands treated with 10% NaOH showed optimum tensile strength, modulus, and percentage elongation with an improvement of 51.9, 47.3, and 12.1% respectively. Based on the properties determined for alkali-treated Napier grass fiber strands, we expect that these fibers will be suitable for use as a reinforcement in natural fiber composites. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.