Effect of nanofillers on the properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites

Nanofillers are bringing exemplary changes in the field of material science and polymer composites. In this sophisticated process a small amount of material is added to a variety of polymers and other materials which can drastically improve the performance and quality of materials including thermal, mechanical, water absorption and flame retardancy etc. Nano fillers can be considered as additives in solid form which can upgrade the various properties of original materials without increasing the density of materials. Now a days researchers are using natural fibers as an alternative reinforcement of synthetic fibers in polymer composites because of their cost effectiveness, biodegradability, lower weight, good mechanical properties and sustainability but the compatibility issue of hydrophobic polymer matrix and hydrophilic fibers is still a concern which ultimately leads to degradation in performance of these composites. Attempts have been made to increase the compatibility between the polymer matrix and the natural fibers with the help of various surface treatments strategies like alkylation, acetylation, maleated coupling etc. Nano particles or nano fillers have tremendous potential to be used as filler material which can improve the properties of polymer composites. Academicians and researchers have used Nano clay, Nano SIO2, carbon nanotubes and many other nanofillers in natural fiber reinforced polymer composites for improvement in properties. Nano clay has shown its potential in decrease in water absorption in sisal fiber reinforced composites which is highly desirable similarly Nano SIO2 has been proven very useful for the improvement in mechanical properties of these composites moreover carbon nano tubes have also exhibited its importance in improvement of mechanical and water absorption properties of bamboo and ramie fiber reinforced polymer composites. Present study provides a review of recent advances on the effect of nanofillers on the properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.