Title
Optimization of the alkali-silane treatment of agave lechuguilla fibers (ixtle) for potential reinforcement in polymeric composites
Author
NOEMI JARDON MAXIMINO
MARIAMNE DEHONOR GOMEZ
Rolando Villa Moreno
MARIA DOLORES BAEZA ALVARADO
Luis Edmundo Lugo Uribe
Access level
Open Access
Alternative identifier
Publication reference
URL/https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6439/11/10/86
doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/fib11100086
ISSN/2079-6439
Subjects
Summary or description
Reinforced polymeric composites with natural fibers have garnered significant interest in recent years due to the need for biomass utilization and the requirements of various industries, such as automotive and construction. Among these natural fibers, Agave lechuguilla fiber, commonly known as ixtle (FIx) or Tampico fiber, exhibits important characteristics such as length, high strength, and durability. However, there is limited literature on its conditioning, functionalization, and utilization as a reinforcing material in polymeric composites (CP). This study presents the optimization of the alkali-silane treatment of FIx, identifying the most suitable reaction conditions to enhance their thermal stability, tensile strength, and silane coupling agent (ACSi) grafting on the fiber surface. The chemical treatment with ACSi proved highly effective, resulting in a significant grafting content, which was confirmed through FTIR and SEM–EDS analyses. The high level of functionalization did not compromise the mechanical performance of the fibers, suggesting that functionalized FIx holds great potential as a reinforcing material in CP. These findings open new paths for the sustainable use of Agave lechuguilla fibers, contributing to the development of environmentally friendly and high-performance polymeric composites in various industrial applications.
This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Fibers for Advanced Materials: Addressing Challenges).
Supplementary materials: The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/fib11100086/s1, Figure S1: Optical microscope image of ixtle fibers at a magnification of 50 (a) untreated and (b) alkaline treated (FIx-5); Table S1: FTIR signal assignment for alkaline treated FIx; Table S2: FTIR Signal assignment for silane treated FIx.
Author contributions: Conceptualization, N.J.-M. and L.E.L.U.; methodology, N.J.-M., M.D.G., R.V.M., M.D.B.-A. and L.E.L.U.; validation, N.J.-M. and L.E.L.U.; formal analysis, N.J.-M., M.D.G. and L.E.L.U.; investigation, N.J.-M. and L.E.L.U.; data curation, N.J.-M., M.D.G., R.V.M. and M.D.B.-A.; writing—original draft preparation, N.J.-M. and L.E.L.U.; writing—review and editing, N.J.-M., M.D.G., R.V.M., M.D.B.-A. and L.E.L.U.; visualization, N.J.-M., M.D.G. and L.E.L.U.; supervision, L.E.L.U.; project administration, N.J.-M. and L.E.L.U.; funding acquisition, N.J.-M. and L.E.L.U. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research was funded by CONAHCYT, “Estancias postdoctorales por México”, grant umber CVU425480.
Data availability statement: Data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and upon request from the corresponding author.
Acknowledgments: The authors express their gratitude towards Rene Diaz Rebollar and Jazmin Gomez Sara for their technical assistance in conducting the chemical reactions presented in this current study. Additionally, the assistance provided by Luis Alberto Caceres Diaz in the execution of XRD analyses is also acknowledged. Furthermore, N.J.M. extends sincere recognition to CIATEQ A.C. for their provision of essential resources and infrastructure crucial to the advancement of this research. The support rendered by CONAHCYT through the “Estancias postdoctorales por México” program is also gratefully acknowledged, as it has contributed financial backing to the project. Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Publisher
MDPI
Publish date
2023
Publication type
Article
Publication version
Published Version
Information Resource
Format
application/pdf
Source
Fibers, v. 11, no. 10, p. 86
Language
English
Audience
General public
Citation suggestion
Jardon-Maximino, N.; Dehonor Gómez, M.; Villa Moreno, R.; Baeza-Alvarado, M.D.; Lugo Uribe, L.E. Optimization of the Alkali-Silane Treatment of Agave lechuguilla Fibers (Ixtle) for Potential Reinforcement in Polymeric Composites. Fibers 2023, 11, 86. https://doi.org/10.3390/fib11100086
Source repository
CIATEQ Digital
Downloads
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