Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Nanoclay-Treated Banana Fibers

The objective of this work is to improve the thermal, mechanical and fiber-matrix adhesion properties of banana fibers using nanoclay particle infusion. The nanoclays were infused into the banana fibers by using alkaline and silane chemical treatments. The morphology and distribution of nanoclays in banana fiber was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Nanoclay infused fiber resulted in 35.7% and 12.5% increased tensile modulus and strength over untreated fiber, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis of nanoclay infused banana fiber shows ~ 2.2 times increased weight gain at 600°C when compared with untreated banana fiber.