The effect of mercerization process on the structural and morphological properties of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) pulp

Environmental awareness and depletion of the wood resources are among vital factors that motivate various researchers to explore the potential of agro-based crops as an alternative source of fiber material in paper industries such as writing, printing, wrapping, and packaging. Fibers from agro-based crops are available in abundance, low cost, and most importantly its biodegradability features, which sometimes referred as “ecofriendly” materials. This paper attempt to study the effect of mercerization treatment on the structural and morphological properties of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) pulp. It was shown that the PALF pulp achieved favourable structural and morphological properties as characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The mercerized fibers (15% NaOH) achieved the best tensile properties compared to that of pristine fibers.This modification have the potential to be utilized as pulp for paper based products

Effect of different solvents on the thermal, IR spectroscopy and morphological properties of solution casted PLA/starch films

PLA/starch films were prepared by using three different solvent which is consist of chloroform, acetonitrile, and tetrahydrofuran. Similarly, composite films prepared using co-solvent of choloroform-acetonitrile (C-Ac) and choloroform- tetrahydrofuran (C-THF) were also investigated. Their properties were characterized by using TGA, DSC, IR spectroscopy and SEM. It was found that the acetonitrile casted biodegradable film achieved superior properties compared to films prepared by Ac, THF, C-Ac and C-THF

Pineapple peel based biocomposites for green packaging

In this research, pineapple peel fiber (PAPF) based low density polyethylene (LDPE) biocomposites for green packaging was studied. The PAPF was first being treated with alkali before compounded with LDPE. Then, the mixture was compounded using twin screw extruder and the test samples were prepared using hot press machine. The compatibility of the PAPF as biocomposites was observed through the characterization and biodegradation analysis. Melt flow index (MFI) analysis was conducted to determine the process ability of the biocomposites. As the fiber loading in the biocomposites increases, the MFI values were decreased. The amount of water absorption was increased with the increases of PAPF loading due to the higher cellulose content. The biocomposites was buried in the soil for a month for biodegradation analysis and the highest PAPF/LDPE loading biocomposites degraded the most

Permeance Based Algorithm For Computation Of Flux Linkage Characteristics Of Non-Linear 6/4 Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM)

The concept of permeance is used in the analysis of flux linkage of 6/4 SRM. The aim of this paper is to develop an efficient algorithm exploiting the nonlinear feature of the 6/4 SRM using the aforementioned concept of permeance. The first step is to generate the relevant equations related to permeances of the 6/4 SRM under study. The 6/4 SRM’s magnetization curve is then derived from the summation of mmf drops at various blocks representing the motor. The air gap permeances are derived at various angles and 3-D leakage effects are taken into account. These permeances are used for the mmf drop computation. The algorithm is capable of efficiently computing mmf drop at every block to consequently yield a complete accurate nonlinear flux linkage feature of the 6/4 switched reluctance motor. In this way, the capability of the SRM to produce the expected four times the specific output torque due to operation in high saturation region compared to an equivalent induction motor as special the attribute of the SRM is demonstrated

Kopolimerisasi pencangkokkan akrilonitril pada serat daun nanas untuk kegunaan bahan tekstil

Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk mengkajikesan masa tindakbalas pencangkokkan akriionitri! (AN) pada serat daun nanas, menentukan kesan pencangkokkan AN dengan menggunakan spektroskopi inframerah transformasi Fourier (FUR), kestabilan haba serat daun nanas dan menentukan sifat serat daun nanas yang dicangkok dengan AN sebagai bahan tekstil. Kajian telah menunjukkan kopolimerisasi pencangkokkan AN pada serat daun nanas datam medium akueus (60°C dan 1:50 nisbah serat ke cecair), menggunakan kombinasi 2.0mo! L-1 hidrogen peroksida (H202) dan 0.1g ferum (Fe2+) sebagai pemula hidroksi) mengambil masa tindakbalas setama 5 jam untuk mencapai darjah pencangkokkan AN yang tertinggi. Pencirian oleh FT)R tetah membuktikan pencangkokkan AN dengan menunjukkan pertambahan kumputan nitril pada spektroskopi serat daun nanas dari 2358cm-1 hingga 2700 cm-1. Analisis kestabilan haba menunjukkan peningkatan suhu degradasi serat daun nanas dari 298.00°C kepada 326.87°C dengan bantuan kopolimerisasi pencangkokkan AN. Dari segi sifat bahan tekstil, kadar pengeringan serat daun nanas yang dicangkok dengan AN adalah lebih rendah daripada serat daun nanas tanpa AN. Walaubagaimanapun, serat daun nanas yang dicangkok dengan AN dan tanpa AN boleh melarut datam tarutan beralkaii dan berasid kecuali asid sulfurik. Kajian perolehan semula ketembapan dan penyerapan air serat daun nanas telah menunjukkan po!a penurunan dengan pencangkokkan AN. Kesemua sifat bahan tekstil tersebut teiah membuktikan kesesuaian serat daun nanas yang dicangkuk AN sebagai bahan kalis air dalam industry tekstit

Influence of compounding methods on poly(vinyl) alcohol/sago pith waste biocomposites: mechanical and water absorption properties

Several methods of incorporating sago pith waste (SPW) into polyvinyl alcohol) (PVA) had been conducted: (i) dry blending (PVA/SPW/G), (ii) blending of SPW and pre-plasticized PVA (pPVAISPWlG) and (iii) blending of pre-plasticized of both PVA and SPW (pPVA/pSPW). The effect of the compounding method on the mechanical and water absorption properties were investigated. The addition of SPW into PVA greatly reduced the tensile strength and elongation at break. The tensile strength and elongation at break of PVA/SPW composites with identical geometry during compounding stage (powder/ powder and pellet/pellet), which were PVA/SPW/G and pPVA/pSPW yielded the highest value. The percentage of water absorbed by PVA/SPW/G (without pre-plasticization) was the highest, followed by pPVA/pSPW and pPVA/SPW/G

Cassava starch based polyethylene biofilm for green packaging

The aim of this study is to develop degradable starch based packaging film with enhanced mechanical properties. A series of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/tapioca starch compounds with various tapioca starch contents were prepared by twin screw extrusion with the addition of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene as compatibilizer. Palm cooking oil was used as processing aid to ease the blown film process, thus, degradable film can be processed via conventional blown film machine. Studies on their characteristics, mechanical properties and biodegradation were carried out by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, tensile test and exposure to fungi environment respectively. The presence of high starch contents had an adverse effect on the tensile properties of LDPE/tapioca starch blends. However, the addition of compatibilizer to the blends improved the interfacial adhesion between the two materials, hence, improved the tensile properties of the films. High content of starch amount also was found to increase the rate of biodegradability of LDPE/tapioca starch films. It can be proved by exposure of the film to fungi environment

Preparation and characterization of pineapple leaf fiber coated with thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer

Pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) have several advantages such as low cost, eco-friendly and high specific strength. However, the brittleness of PALF limits its application. To overcome this limitation, it is essential to synergize the advantages of elastic polymers with PALF. In this research, PALF were coated with thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPE) to enhance their elasticity and flexibility. TPE were synthesized by a two-stage route. This method consists of three types of polyols with different molecular weight and functionalities. Prior to this coating, PALF were treated with alkali to remove the lignin and hemicelluloses and simultaneously increased the surface are of the PALF. These treatments were facilitating the penetration of TPE and give good interaction with exposed parts of PALF. The TPE coated PALF were characterized in terms of their chemical resistance and tensile properties. From the results, alkaline-treated PALF coated with TPE showed better results in tensile properties compared to untreated PALF. Co currently, TPE coated PALF also show an improvement in chemical resistance. It is foreseen that the TPE coated with PALF have a bright prospects, specifically in the production of elastic yarn for elastic cloths

Chemical resistance and tensile properties of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer coated pineapple leaf fiber

Pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) have several advantages such as low cost, eco-friendly and high specific strength. However, the brittleness of PALF limits its application. to overcome this limitation, it is essential to synergize the advantages of elastic polymers with PALF. In this research, PALF were coated with thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPE) to enhance their elasticity and flexbility. TPE were synthesized by a two-staged route. This method consists of three types of plyols with different molecular weight and functionalities. Prior to this coating, PALF were treated with alkali to remove the lignin and hemicelluloses and simultaneously increased the surface are of the PALF. This treatment were facilitating the penetration of TPE and give good interaction with exposed part of PALE. The TPE coated PALF were characterized in terms of their chemical resistance and tensile properties. From the results, alkaline-treated PALF coated with TPE showed better results in tensile properties compared to untreated PALF. Co currently, TPE coated PALF also show an improvement in chemical resistance. It is foreseen that the TPE coated with PALF have a bright prospects, specifically in the production of elastic yarn for elastic clothes

Pengekstrakan serat daun nenas secara mekanikal

Nanas merupakan saiah satu tanaman yang terkenal di Johor. Sisa pertanian dari nanas seperti daun dan kulit boleh digunakan dalam pelbagai produk. Pengekstrakan mekanikal menggunakan sistem roller dan bilah telah digunakan untuk mengeluarkan serat. Berdasarkan kaedah mekanikal ini, ia menunjukkan bahawa serat yang diekstrak memberikan kekuatan tegangan yang tinggi serta menghasilkan penyingkiran lignin amorfus dari serat yang banyak. Pencirian serat yang diekstrak telah ditentukan dengan menggunakan kekuatan tegangan, modulus Young dan nombor Kappa. Nombor Kappa adalah berkadar terus dengan peratusan sisa lignin dalam serat. Berdasarkan ujikaji ini, nombor Kappa yang tinggi telah diperolehi di mana ianya menunjukkan bahawa kaedah ini berkesan sebagai kaedah pengekstrakan serat