Surface modification of Momordica angustisepala fiber using temperature-activated amino-functionalized alkali-silane treatment

Momordica angustisepala fiber (MAf) is like other natural fibers that usually have weak interfacial bonding when used in the production of polymer composites. Natural fibers are usually treated to improve their properties. This present work investigates surface modification of Momordica angustisepala fiber using temperature-activated amino-functionalized alkali-silane treatment. The fibers were soaked in an 80 ml sodium hydroxide (OH) solution before silane functionalization in 2 ml of aminopropyltriethoxysilane in 100 ml ethanol (OH-APS). The temperature of the APS solution was 75 and 150 °C with soaking time of 3 and 6 h. Optimized properties were obtained at a treatment temperature of 150 °C and a time of 3 h. It was established that the combined effect of activated temperature and OH-APS chemical treatment of MAf is promising and can be used to improve the interfacial bonding during polymer composite production.