Modification of cellulose in sugarcane bagasse fibers towards development of biocomposite

With global population growth driving increased demand for resources, agricultural production has intensified, generating substantial waste. One promising solution to this waste is to repurpose agricultural residues such as sugarcane bagasse as a filler for biocomposite manufacturing. However, natural fibers like bagasse present limitations in biocomposites due to their inherent surface properties, necessitating chemical modification to enhance performance. In this study, sugarcane bagasse fibers were subjected to alkali, oxalic acid, and silane treatments, followed by a comprehensive characterization of physical, chemical, morphological, and thermal properties to assess the effects of each modification. Pycnometer experiments revealed the highest density in alkali-treated fibers, followed by silane-treated, oxalic acid-treated, and untreated fibers. Chemical composition analysis indicated reductions in hemicellulose and lignin content, resulting in increased cellulose content and lower moisture levels in treated fibers. X-ray diffraction confirmed cellulose type I structure with increased crystallinity in treated fibers, particularly those treated with alkali. The fillers’ functional groups were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) while morphological analysis using SEM highlighted surface differences and various defects depending on the chemical used. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated improved thermal resistance in silane and alkali-treated fibers. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing sugarcane bagasse natural fibers for biocomposite development through targeted chemical treatments.