Effect of Different Surface Treatments on the Properties of Jute

In this study, effect of various surface treatment processes on waste jute fibers, which can be used for composite material production, was considered. For this purpose, jutes (J) were treated with NaOH as a pretreatment process before the other surface treatments. Then, alkali treated jutes (AJ) were modified with silane coupling agent (ASJ), fluorocarbon-based agent (AFJ), and also argon plasma (APJ). To investigate effects of the treatments on surface characteristics and physical properties of jutes; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, x-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used. The effects of treatments were also revealed by determination of moisture content and density of the jute particles. It is determined that alkali treatment increase hydrophilicity of jute particles with providing reactive hydroxyl groups by partially removal of surface impurities as supported by FTIR analysis. This surface cleaning is also confirmed by SEM which shows surface fibrillation of AJ particles. The crystallinity index of the jute particles increased with the surface treatments by improving the crystallite packing order. Thermal stability of the jute particles changed after all of the surface treatments. According to the findings obtained from surface characterizations and physical tests, the most hydrophobic surface was achieved after fluorocarbon treatment (with alkali pretreatment) by providing the highest C/O ratio on the surface of the jute particles and reduced moisture content, which can be benefits in short fiber or particulate reinforced composite manufacturing by preventing agglomeration of fillers.