Enhancing Plant Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites for Biomedical Applications Using Atmospheric Pressure Plasma...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Surface Science

Background:

• Plant Fibre Composites (PFCs) offer sustainable advantages for biomedical devices but suffer from poor fiber-matrix adhesion.
• Weak interfacial bonding limits the application of jute/epoxy composites in demanding biomedical contexts.
• Improving adhesion is crucial for unlocking the full potential of PFCs in medical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of corona plasma treatment on the mechanical properties of jute/epoxy composites.
• To enhance the interfacial adhesion between jute fibers and epoxy resin through surface modification.
• To identify optimal plasma treatment parameters for improved composite performance in biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Jute fiber surfaces were treated using corona plasma with dry air, argon (Ar), and nitrogen (N2) at 25 mm and 35 mm distances.
• The study focused on optimizing the 'equilibrium' of plasma power, treatment distance, and gas environment.
• Mechanical properties, including interlaminar shear strength, tensile strength, and Young's modulus, were evaluated.

Main Results:

• All plasma treatments improved interlaminar shear strength compared to untreated jute/epoxy composites.
• Nitrogen (N2) plasma treatment at 35 mm resulted in a 35.4% increase in shear strength.
• Dry air plasma treatment at 25 mm enhanced tensile strength by 18.3% and Young's modulus by 35.7%.

Conclusions:

• Corona plasma treatment is effective in improving the mechanical properties of jute/epoxy composites.
• Optimizing plasma treatment parameters (gas, distance, power) is critical for maximizing performance gains.
• This research supports the development of advanced, sustainable biomedical materials from fiber-reinforced composites.