Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Currently, many researches have been conducted to the use of natural fibers as potential replacements for synthetic fibers in polymer composites. In addition, these natural fibers are renewable resources with low cost and allow them to obtain biocomposites especially when used with biopolymers. For that reason, the following work had as its main objective to study the delignification of corn fiber influence in obtaining composites with ECOBRAS? due to the change of roughness as a function of vegetal fiber pulping condition. Initially, it was performed the grinding of the corn husks and thereafter particle size analysis of the product, showing that the milled fiber has variations in its particle size. However, the samples are homogeneous and provide a standard product for each delignification. Through the alkaline pulping performed, it was found that both the reaction time factor as well as the caustic soda concentration has influenced the treatment of the sample and impact qualitatively and quantitatively on the obtained fiber. The characterizations, carried out with crude fiber and alkali treated ones has shown that the delignification was intensive until certain point, through the surface characterization (SEM) confirmed the occurrence of degradation of the fiber. The fiber and ECOBRASTM were processed by extrusion and injected, and the mechanical properties of the composites obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Program. The best condition of pulping was determined by analysis of data from tensile strength.

Biography

Andreia de Ara?jo Morandim-Giannetti graduated in Bachelor of Technology Chemistry from the Universidade Estadual Paulista J?lio de Mesquita Filho (1997) and PhD in Chemistry from the Universidade Estadual Paulista J?lio de Mesquita Filho (2004). He is currently full-time at Centro Universit?rio da FEI (SBC). He has experience in the field of chemistry and biotechnology