Characterization of Sodium Hydroxide‐ and Acetic Acid‐Treated Sisal Fiber for Reinforcement in Polymer Composites

This study aims to investigate the effect of sodium hydroxide and acetic acid treatments on sisal fibers. The fiber samples were treated with varying concentrations of sodium hydroxide (1%–5%) and acetic acid (5%–15%) solutions, and the effects of the treatments on the fiber were examined using a range of analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results of the study reveal that both sodium hydroxide and acetic acid treatments alter the chemical and physical properties of sisal fiber. Sodium hydroxide treatment resulted in a significant increase in the crystallinity index while acetic acid treatment resulted in increased thermal stability of the fibers. Furthermore, the FTIR studies shows that the hydroxyl groups present on the fibers are partially removed after both the treatments. The findings of this study have significant implications for the use of sisal fiber in industrial applications. The results indicate that the treatments could enhance the properties of sisal fiber and make it more suitable for a range of applications, such as reinforcement in polymer composites.