Effect of fiber hybridization and montmorillonite clay on properties of treated kenaf/aloe vera fiber reinforced PLA hybrid nanobiocomposite

Hybrid fiber reinforced polymer nanobiocomposites were prepared from kenaf fiber, aloe vera fiber, polylactic acid (PLA), and montmorillonite (MMT) clay through the compression molding method. The effects of fiber hybridization and MMT clay on their mechanical, water absorption, thermal and biodegradability properties were studied. Before fabrication, kenaf and aloe vera fibers were treated with the 6% sodium hydroxide solution to improve the bonding nature and compatibility between fibers and PLA matrix. Results indicated that the biocomposites thermal, tensile, flexural, impact, abrasion resistance, and water resistance properties were increased by adding of MMT clay. The mechanical properties were found to be increased upon 15 wt% kenaf fiber, 15 wt% aloe vera fiber hybridization and 1 wt% MMT clay incorporated. In addition, the 1 wt% MMT clay included hybrid nanobiocomposite exhibited increased tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and abrasion resistance by 5.24, 2.46, 37.10, and 23.91%, respectively compared to virgin PLA. Additionally, the tensile and flexural moduli of these nanobiocomposite are improved by 24.61 and 108.09%, respectively, than neat PLA. With the addition of 3 wt% MMT clay resulted in the biocomposite decomposition temperature from 280 to 307 °C at T₁₀ likewise 337 to 361 °C at T₇₅ SEM analysis disclosed that MMT clay strongly enhances the bonding and compatibility among fibers and PLA. TEM result reveals that the quality of MMT dispersion decreases with increase in MMT content. The fiber hybridization improved the biodegradability and water resistance properties of biocomposites, however, the addition of MMT clay improved water resistance but decreased biodegradability.