Optimization of the silane treatment of cellulosic fibers from eucalyptus wood using response surface methodology

Viscose cellulosic fibers from eucalyptus wood were treated with organosilanes to introduce specific functionalities on the fibers and enhance their wettability and adhesion with phenolic matrices in composites. Modeling procedures were employed to optimize the conditions of the treatments of the fibers with the silanes (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane (APS) and 3-(2-aminoethylamino) propyltrimethoxysilane (AAPS). The analyzed responses were relative intensities of the bands 1565/897 and 1120/897 cm(-1), measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the silicon amount incorporated into the cellulosic fibers, which was determined by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. In addition, surface morphology of the silane treated fibers was observed using scanning electron microscopy. The treatments of the cellulosic fibers with 2.2% APS for 120 min and 1.5% AAPS for 100 min were selected as optimums. According to contact angle measurements, both treatments enhanced the wettability between the fibers and a resol-type phenolic resin, revealing the possible use of the silane treated fibers as reinforcement in phenolic composites. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42157.