Structural and thermal characterization of Moroccan sugar cane bagasse cellulose fibers and their applications as a reinforcing agent in low density polyethylene

Cellulose fibers were isolated from Moroccan sugar cane bagasse by using three distinct stages. Firstly bagasse was subjected to (1) a hot water (70 degrees C) treatment to eliminate hemicellulose, then to (2) an alkaline aqueous solution (15% of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), 98 degrees C) treatment to eliminate lignin, and finally to (3) a bleaching stage. Sugar cane bagasse cellulose fibers were analyzed by different complementary analysis (FT-IR; C-13 NMR and TG). The reinforcing capability of cellulose fibers extracted from sugar cane bagasse was investigated using low density polyethylene as matrix. The cellulosic preparations were free of bound lignin. The intrinsic viscosity, the viscosity average and the molecular weight were respectively 511 ml/g, 1769 and 286578 g/mol. An enhance on mechanical properties of composites was found, a gain of 72% in Young's modulus at 25 wt.% fiber loading and a gain of 85% in flexural modulus at 25 wt.% fiber loading, as a results of a good interface adhesion between cellulose fibers and matrix. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.