Modification of palm fiber with chitosan-AESO blend coating

Natural fibers are available as an essential substitute for synthetic fiber in many applications. However, the sensitivity of Chinese Windmill Palm or Trachycarpus Fortune Fiber (TFF) to water causes low interfacial bonding between the matrix and the fiber and at the end reduces the mechanical properties of the composite product. Alkaline treatment improves mechanical properties and does not affect water absorption. Hence, additional treatment in the coating is required. This study uses alkaline treatment and coating modification using blended chitosan and Acrylated Epoxidized Soybean Oil (AESO). Blend coating between AESO and chitosan is performed to increase water absorption and mechanical properties. TFF water resistance improved significantly after the coating, with water absorption of the alkaline/blend coating-TFF of 3.98 % ± 0.52 and swell ability of 3.156 % ± 0.17. This indicated that blend coating had formed a cross-link of fiber and matrix after alkalization. Thus, the single fiber tensile strength increased due to the alkaline treatment, and water absorption decreased due to the coating. The combination of alkaline treatment and blend coating on TFF brings excellent properties, as shown by the increase in tensile strength in both single fiber test and composite.