Investigation on the Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties of Novel Alkali-treated Phaseolus vulgaris Fibers

This investigation is aimed to analyze the effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment on the physical, chemical, structural, thermal and surface topography of Phaseolus vulgaris fibers (PVFs). The surface of raw PVFs was modified by soaking with 5% NaOH solution for 15, 30, 45 and 60 min. The various functional groups of the alkali-treated PVFs (APVFs) were studied Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The outcomes of thermogravimetric analysis evident that the optimum treatment time for 5% NaOH was 45 min. It was noticed that optimally treated PVFs have higher cellulose (69.48 wt.%), crystallinity index (52.27%) and lower hemicellulose (4.30 wt.%), lignin (7.02 wt.%) contents. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of PVFs also revealing moderate thermal stability was observed & xfeff;; atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigation inveterates that the surface of the fiber is rough and it will be a potential reinforcement for polymer composites.

Automated summary

This investigation studied the effect of NaOH treatment on PVFs. The optimal treatment time was found to be 45 min, resulting in higher cellulose content, crystallinity index, and lower hemicellulose and lignin contents in the treated fibers. The rough surface of PVFs makes them a potential reinforcement material for polymer composites.