Effect of chemical treatments on properties of polylactic acid (PLA) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers biocomposites

The effect of various chemical treatments on properties of PLA-EFB (polylactic acid - empty fruit bunch) biocomposite were investigated. This treatment is essential to enhance compatibility of PLAEFB and strengthen the biocomposite's mechanical and thermal properties. Three chemical treatments; NaClO
₂
, NaClO
₂
/Silane and NaClO
₂
/NaOH were done on the EFB fibers. The tensile, flexural and impact tests demonstrated that the PLA which blends with NaClO
₂
treated EFB fibers has the superior properties in comparison to other treatments. On top of that, addition of NaClO
₂
treated EFB fibers to PLA improve adhesion between the fiber and the matrix as evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). This proven that NaClO
₂
treated EFB fibers is a potential surface modifier for PLA.