Impact of silanization on the characterization of Corchorus olitorius particle-based composites for sustainable applications

Abstract

Researchers are actively working on developing a long-term substitute for harmful manmade fibres. Because of their unique qualities that fit diverse applications, natural fibres/fillers are proposed as sustainable reinforcements. Integrating natural fibres, such as Corchorus olitorius particles, into composites provides an environmentally conscious choice for a variety of purposes. This research aims to investigate the influence of silanization, a surface modification technique, on the various characterizations and characteristics of Corchorus olitorius particle-based composites. The characterizations included morphological, mechanical and thermal investigations to assess the influence of silanization on the characteristics of the composite. The contact layup process is applied to create composite samples by reinforcing multiple weight proportions of treated particles (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% and 12.5%) in epoxy resins. The findings demonstrate that silanization elevates the interfacial connectivity between Corchorus olitorius particles and the resins, which produces upgraded mechanical and thermal attributes. The composite containing 5 wt% particles generated the most significant tensile and flexural strength, with gains of about 45% and 31%, respectively, compared to the epoxy composite. Because of the higher interfacial connections of the molecules, the viscoelastic features of the composites indicated that the 7.5 wt% particle-based composite possesses the greatest storage modulus (2.96 GPa), loss modulus (0.4 GPa) and glass transition temperature (90 °C). This study emphasizes the significance of surface alteration procedures such as silanization for boosting the efficiency and long-term viability of composites containing Corchorus olitorius particles. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry.