Thermo plasticization and characterization of kenaf fiber by benzylation

Kenaf fibers were heterogeneously benzylated in aqueous alkaline solution. The benzylated kenaf fibers were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), universal tensile machine (UTM), and the contact angle test. The results showed that the degree of benzylation depended on the reaction time, as assessed by the weight gain. The DMA analysis showed that the glass transition temperature of kenaf fiber decreased from 140 to 118 °C after benzylation, while the weight gain increased from 5 to 120%. The benzylated kenaf fibers exhibited good melt processability and were readily hot pressed into sheets. The sheet containing with fibers, which were benzylated for 3 h, exhibited 17.5 MPa in tensile strength, and the hydrophilic property of the sheet was greatly decreased as a function of benzylation time.