Morphology Water Absorption and Biodegradable Properties of Polylactide Biocomposites Reinforced with Sisal Fibers

In this investigation, the effect of different surface treatments on morphology, water absorption and biodegradable properties of sisal fiber reinforced PLA (SF/PLA) composites were studied. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis confirmed the good dispersion of different surface treated sisal fibers in the PLA composites which improved the interfacial adhesion between sisal fibers and PLA matrix. Water absorption is reduced significantly for combined treated SF/PLA composites by 136% as compare to untreated composites. Environmental degradation was studied for SF/PLA composites by composting the samples into the soil. FE-SEM analysis shows the fiber reinforced composites were degraded faster than the pure PLA. It is also worth noted that the combination of alkali and HIU treated fiber composites show slower degradation as compare to untreated one. A significant weight loss could be seen (17.87% weight loss for untreated SF/PLA composites) after soil composting for 120 days. This investigation clearly confirms that the surface treatments of sisal fibers with the combination of alkali and high intensity ultrasound (HIU) are effective to improve filler dispersion, water resistance and biodegradability of SF/PLA composites. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.