Enhancing Syagrus romanzoffiana lignocellulosic fibers' properties by ecological treatment with sodium bicarbonate for applications in sustainable lightweight biocomposites.

Investigating the fascinating world of natural fibers, where Syagrus romanzoffiana fibers (SrFs) are promising substitutes for glass and synthetic fibers in composite materials, is more than interesting. The improvement of SrFs through an environmentally friendly treatment employing sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) at different concentrations (5 %, 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % by weight) over various durations (24, 72, and 168 h) is the subject of this study. The objective is to provide a sustainable and economical approach to enhancing fiber characteristics. Comparisons were made between treated and untreated fibers and fibers from semi-arid and humid regions to evaluate geographical influences. Key findings include considerable enhancements in tensile properties: a 58 % rise in Young's modulus and a 69 % rise in traction stress for fibers treated with 20 % NaHCO₃ for 72 h. The stretching at fracture of these treated fibers was measured at 1.04 ± 4.49 %. The treated fibers also showed an increased crystallinity index of 71.61 % and a crystal size of 2.38 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the chemical modifications from the treatment. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated thermal stability up to 327 °C and a kinetic activation energy of 53.84 kJ/mol, compared to 62.72 kJ/mol for untreated fibers. The study highlights an environmentally friendly approach to material development by showcasing the potential of treated SrFs in lightweight biocomposite applications. This study provides valuable information on the TGA/pyrolysis of SrFs at 10 °C/min for potential bioenergy production, including assessing environmental impact, opportunities concerning sustainable resource management, and integration with other renewable energy systems.