title: Modification of oil palm mesocarp fiber characteristics using superheated steam treatment.
abstract: In this study, oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF) was treated with superheated steam (SHS) in order to modify its characteristics for biocomposite applications. Treatment was conducted at temperatures 190-230 °C for 1, 2 and 3 h. SHS-treated OPMF was evaluated for its chemical composition, thermal stability, morphology and crystallinity. OPMF treated at 230 °C exhibited lower hemicellulose content (9%) compared to the untreated OPMF (33%). Improved thermal stability of OPMF was found after the SHS treatment. Moreover, SEM and ICP analyses of SHS-treated OPMF showed that silica bodies were removed from OPMF after the SHS treatment. XRD results exhibited that OPMF crystallinity increased after SHS treatment, indicating tougher fiber properties. Hemicellulose removal makes the fiber surface more hydrophobic, whereby silica removal increases the surface roughness of the fiber. Overall, the results obtained herewith suggested that SHS is an effective treatment method for surface modification and subsequently improving the characteristics of the natural fiber. Most importantly, the use of novel, eco-friendly SHS may contribute to the green and sustainable treatment for surface modification of natural fiber.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 UPM, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Noor Ida Amalina Ahamad
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Nordin
authors.forename: Hidayah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ariffin
authors.forename: Yoshito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Andou
authors.forename: Mohd Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: Yoshihito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shirai
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: Wan Zin Wan
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Yunus
authors.forename: Subbian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karuppuchamy
authors.forename: Nor Azowa
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
mesh_terms: D028023:Arecaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013227:Steam
chemical_list: D011134:Polysaccharides; D013227:Steam; C007916:hemicellulose
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