African Teff Straw as a Potential Reinforcement in Polymer Composites for Light-Weight Applications: Mechanical, Thermal, Physical, and Chemical Characterization before and after Alkali Treatment

The present study concerns the morphological, mechanical, thermal characterization and activation energy of African teff straw, a natural and almost inexpensive fiber as a potential reinforcement in polymer composites. The fiber is treated with different concentrations of alkali NaOH (5% and 10%) to improve the properties, and the effect has been observed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy(AFM), mechanical property tester, and thermogravimetric analysis. Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method, Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose method, and Friedman method have been used for calculation of activation energy of untreated and treated teff straw. There is an increase of approximately 31% (280-368 MPa) in tensile strength and 21% (136-164 kJ/mol) in average activation energy in case of 5% alkali-treated fiber compared to untreated one. This treated fiber can be recommended as a reinforcement in polymer composites for light-weight applications.