Open Access
Pretreatment of Wheat Bran for Suitable Reinforcement in Biocomposites
Atikur Rahman1,3, Chad A. Ulven2, Maren A. Johnson1, Cheyenne Durant1, Khwaja G. Hossain*,1
1 Division of Science and Mathematics, Mayville State University, Mayville, ND 58257, USA
2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, North Dakota State University, 1340 Administrative Avenue, Fargo, ND 58102, USA
3 Department of Irrigation and Water Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
* Corresponding author:
Journal of Renewable Materials 2017, 5(Suppl.1), 62-73. https://doi.org/10.7569/JRM.2017.634133
Abstract
Wheat bran, abundant but underutilized, was investigated for its potential as a reinforcement in biocomposites through different pretreatment methods. Pretreatment methods included were dilute sodium hydroxide (NaOH), dilute sulfuric acid (H
2SO
4), liquid hot water (LHW), calcium hydroxide (CaOH), organosolv such as aqueous ethanol (EtOH), and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). Changes in chemical composition and fiber characteristics of the treated bran were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Cellulose content increased to 35.1% and 29.6% in brans treated with H
2SO
4 and NaOH, respectively. The SEM micrographs showed surface cleaning of treated bran while maintaining sufficient surface roughness for the H
2SO
4, NaOH, and MIBK treated brans. Crystallinity index increased slightly for all treatments except H
2SO
4. NaOH and H
2SO
4 pretreated brans achieved important fiber characteristics, which could be useful for making thermoplastic biocomposites. Innovative use of bran in thermoplastic will create more opportunities for growers while enhancing biodegradability.
Keywords
Cite This Article
APA Style
Rahman, A., Ulven, C.A., Johnson, M.A., Durant, C.,
, K.G.H. (2017). Pretreatment of wheat bran for suitable reinforcement in biocomposites . Journal of Renewable Materials, 5(Suppl.1), 62-73. https://doi.org/10.7569/JRM.2017.634133
Vancouver Style
Rahman A, Ulven CA, Johnson MA, Durant C,
KGH. Pretreatment of wheat bran for suitable reinforcement in biocomposites . J Renew Mater. 2017;5(Suppl.1):62-73 https://doi.org/10.7569/JRM.2017.634133
IEEE Style
A. Rahman, C.A. Ulven, M.A. Johnson, C. Durant, and K.G.H.
"Pretreatment of Wheat Bran for Suitable Reinforcement in Biocomposites ," J. Renew. Mater., vol. 5, no. Suppl.1, pp. 62-73. 2017. https://doi.org/10.7569/JRM.2017.634133