Tensile, surface and thermal characterization of jute fibres after novel treatments

Abstract

Jute fibres have been treated with enzymes, CO₂ pulsed infra red laser, ozone and plasma to study the effect of these treatments on their tensile, surface and thermal properties. Surface characteristics of jute fibres have been examined by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy while thermal characteristics using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). No significant reduction in the tensile strength of treated jute fibres is observed. Changes in the surface chemical composition and increase in surface roughness are observed after the treatments. DSC data show a decrease in decomposition temperature of hemicellulose of all treated jute fibres. DSC and TGA analyses show no marginal difference in the cellulose decomposition temperature of untreated and treated jute fibres. The study shows a change in the surface chemistry and morphology after treatments without any substantial change in the thermal stability and tensile properties of jute fibres. The study also reveals the potential use of infrared laser and ozone treatments for the modification of natural fibres besides the conventional treatments using enzymes and plasma.