Effect of Plasma Treatment on Bamboo Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Pornchai Rachtanapun; Choncharoen Sawangrat; Thidarat Kanthiya; Parichat Thipchai; Kannikar Kaewapai; Jonghwan Suhr; Patnarin Worajittiphon; Nuttapol Tanadchangsaeng; Pitiwat Wattanachai; Kittisak Jantanasakulwong

doi:10.3390/polym16070938

Effect of Plasma Treatment on Bamboo Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Polymers (Basel). 2024 Mar 29;16(7):938. doi: 10.3390/polym16070938.

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Agro-Industry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
² Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
³ Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
⁴ Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
⁵ Science and Technology Park (STeP), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
⁶ School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
⁷ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
⁸ College of Biomedical Engineering, Rangsit University, Pathumthani 12000, Thailand.
⁹ Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.

Abstract

Bamboo cellulose fiber (BF)-reinforced epoxy (EP) composites were fabricated with BF subjected to plasma treatment using argon (Ar), oxygen (O₂), and nitrogen (N₂) gases. Optimal mechanical properties of the EP/BF composites were achieved with BFs subjected to 30 min of plasma treatment using Ar. This is because Ar gas improved the plasma electron density, surface polarity, and BF roughness. Flexural strength and flexural modulus increased with O₂ plasma treatment. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the etching of the fiber surface with Ar gas improved interfacial adhesion. The water contact angle and surface tension of the EP/BF composite improved after 10 min of Ar treatment, owing to the compatibility between the BFs and the EP matrix. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed a reduction in lignin after treatment and the formation of new peaks at 1736 cm^-1, which indicated a reaction between epoxy groups of the EP and carbon in the BF backbone. This reaction improved the compatibility, mechanical properties, and water resistance of the composites.

Keywords: bamboo; epoxy; fiber; plasma; reaction.

Grants and funding

This research has received funding support from the NSRF via the Program Management Unit for Human Resources and Institutional Development, Research, and Innovation (grant number B16F640206).