Effect of vinyl silane-treated plant root waste biomass cellulose on pineapple fiber-vinyl ester composites: a characterization study

This comprehensive study explores the effect of vinyl silane-treated cellulose on composites made from pineapple fiber-reinforced vinyl ester resin. The main goal was to investigate the influence of vinyl silane treatment on cellulose derived from Amaranthus dubius root biomass and its load-bearing properties when combined with pineapple fiber in vinyl ester composites. The cellulose was synthesized from waste Amaranthus dubius root biomass through a thermo-chemical process and subsequently treated with vinyl silane. Composites were then fabricated using 40 vol.% pineapple fiber along with varying percentages of the treated cellulose. Mechanical testing showed that incorporating 40 vol.% pineapple fiber significantly improved the composite's strength and toughness. Further enhancements were observed with the addition of 1.0 vol.% of vinyl silane-treated cellulose, which boosted the mechanical strength due to improved adhesion between the cellulose and the resin matrix. Fatigue testing indicated that the vinyl silane treatment increased the number of cycles the composite could withstand, highlighting better fatigue resistance. However, a potential saturation point was noted at 2.0% cellulose content. Creep resistance tests showed consistent improvement with the addition of reinforcing elements, identifying an optimal cellulose concentration for resisting time-dependent deformation. Thermal analysis (TGA) revealed that the inclusion of treated cellulose affected mass loss and decomposition temperatures, with silane-treated cellulose reducing mass loss due to enhanced bonding and modified cellulose structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided insights into the microstructure, emphasizing the critical role of optimizing interfacial adhesion to enhance mechanical properties. In conclusion, the use of vinyl silane-treated reinforcements in the composites led to superior and balanced mechanical properties. These improved composites have potential applications in the automotive, defense, and structural sectors.