Surface-modified Agave vilmoriniana fibers for enhanced thermo-mechanical and interfacial performance in composites

Gowtham Saravanan; Ramakrishnan Thirumalaisamy

doi:10.1590/0104-1428.20250104

Original Article

Surface-modified Agave vilmoriniana fibers for enhanced thermo-mechanical and interfacial performance in composites

Gowtham Saravanan; Ramakrishnan Thirumalaisamy

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0104-1428.20250104 Polímeros: Ciência e Tecnologia, vol.36, n2, e20260020, 2026

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Abstract

This study examines Agave vilmoriniana leaf fibers after consecutive alkali, silane, and starch treatments for polymer composites. The treatments reduces hemicellulose, moisture absorption and improving fiber stability. X-ray diffraction Analysis showed intensified (002) peaks that confirming improved crystalline ordering, while Fourier Transform Infrared spectra showed the reduction of hemicellulose and lignin and after alkali and silane treatments by the peaks around 1730cm⁻¹ band and the peak 750cm⁻¹ confirms the emergence of siloxane linkages. Subsequently, thermal analysis using Thermogravimetry showed improved thermal stability with onset and maximum degradation temperatures were rising from ~285 to 305 °C and ~340 to 355 °C respectively. Mechanical testing shows starch coating increases stiffness to 23.42 GPa. Scanning Electron Microscopic image observations confirmed the gradual surface modifications. The result makes that the fibers were more suitable for high-performance, moisture-resistant and polymer composites.

Keywords

Agave vilmoriniana leaf fibers, alkali treatment, silane coupling, starch coating, mechanical properties

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Surface-modified Agave vilmoriniana fibers for enhanced thermo-mechanical and interfacial performance in composites

Gowtham Saravanan; Ramakrishnan Thirumalaisamy

Abstract

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Polímeros: Ciência e Tecnologia