Volume 6 Issue 1 ( March 2019 )

This research is to study the improvement of chemical, physical and mechanical properties of zalacca fibers after NaHCO3 treatment. It was carried out by immersion in 10% NaHCO3 solution for 24, 120 and 240 h. Fiber content analysis and FTIR showed an increase of cellulose and a decrease of hemicellulose and lignin content. XRD indicated an increase of crystallinity. SEM revealed cleaning and roughening effects on the fiber surface. TGA-DTA revealed a slight decrease in thermal stability. The tensile testing showed that the highest tensile strength and elastic modulus were obtained by the treatment for 120 h.

Keywords: zalacca fibers, sodium bicarbonate, chemical treatment, crystallinity.