Mechanical processing in alkaline solution of coconut fiber for formation of micro fibrils

Abstract

Vegetable fibers are abundant and ecologically aligned materials with the environment, both in production and final disposal. They are promising materials for use in engineering applications, being able to replace conventional materials and materials from non-renewable sources, such as the formation of composites. For the formation of high-performance composite materials, the compatibility between their constituents must be as high as possible, in order to result in strong chemical interactions between them. Coconut vegetable fiber in its natural form has a typical morphology that, in addition to being irregular, is covered by a fatty layer, thus preventing possible contact between the cellulosic fiber structure and other materials. Many treatments and processes have been studied and presented to the scientific community, resulting in significant modifications for the formation of new materials. Treatment with sodium hydroxide revealed that it is possible to partially modify the external structure of the fiber and that it can also dissociate the fiber into a nanostructure by solubilizing lignin. This work was dedicated to evaluating the processing of coconut fiber in sodium hydroxide solution and ball mill, in order to modify the conditions of the vegetable fiber. The results revealed that, depending on the processing time, partial modification of the fiber occurs, with changes in color and formation of fibrils. Fibrils are branched extensions that can increase the conditions of contact with new materials.