Effects of alkalization on the properties of Ensete ventricosum plant fibre

Ensete ventricosum (EV) fibre is a lignocellulosic plant fibre hitherto, to the best of our knowledge, unexplored in terms of its response to alkali treatment at room temperature. The chemical compositions as well as physical and tensile properties of this fibre were evaluated after alkali treatment (in 2–15%w/v NaOH at 23 ± 2 °C for 1 h). Effects of alkali concentration on fibre properties were analysed and compared with that of untreated fibres. EV fibres treated with alkali solutions between 2 and 10% (w/v NaOH) exhibited all round improvement in physical, morphological, tensile, structural and thermal properties as compared to that of untreated EV fibres. Unlike the cellulose content, hemicellulose content of alkalized fibres decreased substantially with increase in alkali concentration. The 10% NaOH treated fibres showed the highest improvement in tenacity (9.1 gf/den), crystallinity index (71%) and other properties. Changes in fibre properties were further confirmed by SEM, XRD and TGA.