Structural integrity and performance investigations of a novel chemically treated cellulosic paper corn/polyester sustainable biocomposites

Facilitating finding low-cost renewable and sustainable environmental functional alternative materials for green products has been recently emphasized. Lignocellulosic materials are of such potential alternatives to enhance the modern cleaner production theme. In this work, several structural parameters, reinforcement conditions, and chemical treatments have been investigated to reveal their effects on the final desired mechanical performance of lignocellulosic corn/polyester composites for sustainable green products. Low-cost treatment solutions as sodium chloride, phosphoric and citric acids were considered for Mediterranean corn agro waste lignocellulosic fibers. Results have revealed that superior mechanical performance enhancements were occurred for the produced bio-composites. It was demonstrated that prepared composites were capable of enhancing the tensile strength as well as modulus for all types of treatment. About 157% tensile strength enhancement was achieved in case of 30 wt.% fiber content when treated with phosphoric and citric acids. Moreover, sodium chloride treatment was capable of achieving 81 MPa for the 20 wt.% fiber loading comparable to 54.7 MPa for the matrix. The modulus of elasticity property was also enhanced more than 600% for the untreated fibers and sodium chloride treated ones. This obviously demonstrates the potential of such low-cost fiber/low cost treatment synergy to fabricate potential green materials for sustainable industrial applications as well as enhance evaluating such materials from various technical stand points for the future sustainable cleaner production.