Effect of Plasma Treatment on Bamboo Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 16; no. 7; p. 938
• Main Authors: Rachtanapun, Pornchai, Sawangrat, Choncharoen, Kanthiya, Thidarat, Thipchai, Parichat, Kaewapai, Kannikar, Suhr, Jonghwan, Worajittiphon, Patnarin, Tanadchangsaeng, Nuttapol, Wattanachai, Pitiwat, Jantanasakulwong, Kittisak
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Argon; Bamboo; Bisphenol A; Bond strength; Cellulose; Cellulose fibers; Chemical reactions; Cold; Compatibility; Composite materials; Contact angle; Electron density; Environmental impact; epoxy; Epoxy resins; fiber; Fiber composites; Fiber reinforced polymers; Flexural strength; Fourier transforms; Germany; Lignin; Mechanical properties; Modulus of rupture in bending; Natural resources; Oxygen plasma; Plasma; Polymers; reaction; Shear strength; Surface tension; Thailand; Water resistance; Thailand; Germany; bamboo; fiber; reaction; plasma; epoxy
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym16070938

Bamboo cellulose fiber (BF)-reinforced epoxy (EP) composites were fabricated with BF subjected to plasma treatment using argon (Ar), oxygen (O ), and nitrogen (N ) gases. Optimal mechanical properties of the EP/BF composites were achieved with BFs subjected to 30 min of plasma treatment using Ar. This is because Ar gas improved the plasma electron density, surface polarity, and BF roughness. Flexural strength and flexural modulus increased with O plasma treatment. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the etching of the fiber surface with Ar gas improved interfacial adhesion. The water contact angle and surface tension of the EP/BF composite improved after 10 min of Ar treatment, owing to the compatibility between the BFs and the EP matrix. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed a reduction in lignin after treatment and the formation of new peaks at 1736 cm , which indicated a reaction between epoxy groups of the EP and carbon in the BF backbone. This reaction improved the compatibility, mechanical properties, and water resistance of the composites.