Effect of pre-treatment of Luffa fibres on the structural properties

Recently, the use of lignocellulosic fibres to reinforcing composite has received an increased attention. However, lack of good interfacial adhesion makes important the treatment of raw materials. Chemical treatment prepared the raw material to be useful by elimination of gummy and waxy substances. In this study, the Luffa fibres were treated by tow methods: alkali treatment and mixed treatment (sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide). The effect of these treatments on the structure of fibres was showed using SEM and XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) analysis. The SEM results revealed that both treatments resulted in a removal of lignin, pectin and hemicellulose substances, and change the characteristics of the surface topography. The XRD analysis shows the increase of crystallinity index by many treatment conditions. We find that the alkali treatment (120 degrees C; 3 h; 4% NaOH) shows a good cleaning and the higher crystallinity index of treated fibres. It is also interesting to note that mixed treatment can change the Luffa fibres from mat structure to fibrils structure. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.