Recent Advances in the Application of Natural Fiber Based Composites

• Published in: Macromolecular materials and engineering Vol. 295; no. 11; pp. 975 - 989
• Main Authors: Pandey, Jitendra K., Ahn, S. H., Lee, Caroline S., Mohanty, Amar K., Misra, Manjusri
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 12.11.2010; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; biodegradable; biomaterials; Biosensors; cellulose; Commodities; Composites; Density; Economics; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Glass; Mica; nanocomposites; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; Weight reduction; State of the art; biodegradable; fibers; cellulose; Natural fiber; Use; Fiber reinforced material; Polymer; biomaterials; nanocomposites; Composite material
• ISSN: 1438-7492; 1439-2054; 1439-2054
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.201000095

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites are lightweight, economical and available in a variety of forms. They have low densities, comparable material properties, high molding flexibility and are environmentally friendly, making them a conceivable alternative to traditional fillers like mica, calcium carbonate and glass. By modifying either the resin system or the natural fiber, biocomposites can be designed for different applications ranging from products of commodity to aerospace, examples including electroactive papers, fuel cell membranes, controlled drug release mechanisms and biosensors. This review aims to analyze the advancement in the application of cellulose based materials in different sectors with a discussion of fundamental research in these areas. Progress in the application of cellulose‐based materials in different sectors is analyzed by providing an overview on recent research in these areas. Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites were developed to reduce the dependency on metal in manufacturing industries. These composites are lightweight, economical and available in a variety of forms. Aside from conventional uses, natural fiber based composites are employed in sophisticated areas, such as electroactive papers, fuel cell membranes, controlled drug release mechanisms and biosensors.