Susilo Indrawati^*, Lila Yuwana, Suyatno, Mochamad Zainuri, Darminto^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.5, pp. 909-921, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.048452 - 17 July 2024

Abstract Recently, abaca fibers have become the focus of specialized research due to their intriguing characteristics, with their outstanding mechanical properties being a particularly notable. In the conducted study, the abaca fibers underwent a preliminary treatment process involving an alkaline solution, which was composed of 0.5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and 50% acetic acid (CHCOOH). This process entailed immersing each fiber in the solution for a period of one hour. This treatment led to a 52.36% reduction in lignin content compared to the levels before treatment, resulting in a dramatic decrease in the full width at half… More > Graphic Abstract

Marcin Masłowski*, Justyna Miedzianowska and Krzysztof Strzelec

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.7, pp. 746-754, 2018, DOI:10.32604/JRM.2018.00121

Abstract Novel elastomer biocomposites based on straw fibers (raw or chemically modified) as reinforcing elements of natural rubber (NR) were reported and studied. Oat straw fibres with different average lengths were used. Lignocellulose materials were incorporated into the elastomer, before and after chemical surface modification involving sodium hydroxide. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and microscopy techniques were employed for characterization of fillers. The kinetics of rubber mixtures, as well as rheometric properties of compounds were determined. The cross-linking density was executed on the basis of equilibrium solvent-swelling measurements applying the modified Flory–Rehner equation. The morphology of More >