Some Effect of Chemical Treatment by Ferric Nitrate Salts on the Structure and Morphology of Coir Fibre Composites

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Advances in Materials Physics and Chemistry, 2015, 5, 39-45
[Published Online January 2015 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/ampc](http://www.scirp.org/journal/ampc)
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ampc.2015.51006

# Some Effect of Chemical Treatment by Ferric Nitrate Salts on the Structure and Morphology of Coir Fibre Composites

Alveera Khan 1 , Shirish Joshi 1 , Mohammad Ayaz Ahmad 2 , Vyacheslav Lyashenko 3

1Physics Department, Motilal Vighyan Mahavidhyalaya, Bhopal, India
2Physics Department, College of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
3Laboratory “Transfer of Information Technologies in the Risk Reduction Systems”, Kharkov National University
of Radioelectronics, Kharkov, Ukraine
[Email: khanalveeera@gmail.com](mailto:khanalveeera@gmail.com)

Received 1 January 2015; accepted 16 January 2015; published 21 January 2015

Copyright © 2015 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY).
[http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Abstract

The present study shows some important effects of chemical treatment on the structure and morphology of coir fibre. The objective of the present study is to optimise overall properties of coir fibre so as to use coir fibre as a reinforcing agent in thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers. In
the present study, coir fibre is treated with ferric nitrate salt. A thermal treatment has been done
at temperature of 1000˚C by using annealing method. X-ray diffraction of the treated coir fibre reveals the crystalline nature of the fibre. Change in morphology has been found in coir fibre when
subjected to scanning electron microscopy. Finally, the Fourier transform and infrared spectrographs show the presence of traces of iron oxide:fibre in the prepared composite.

Keywords

Annealing, Coir, SEM and XRD Analysis, Crystalline, Fibre

1. Introduction

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites have to face many challenges in order to be commonly used as engineering materials [1]. As natural fibres are renewable in nature, so it can be a probable substitute for synthetic
fibres in many applications where high strength is not needed [2]. Due to this, it is essential to illustrate and
record the properties of these natural fibres and investigate new source of applications of fibres in composites.
Coir fibre is a natural fibre found on the outer skull of coconut [3]. Coir fibre is one of the most widespread fi

How to cite this paper: Khan, A., Joshi, S., Ahmad, M.A. and Lyashenko, V. (2015) Some Effect of Chemical Treatment by
Ferric Nitrate Salts on the Structure and Morphology of Coir Fibre Composites. _Advances in Materials Physics and Chemistry_,
5, 39-45. [http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ampc.2015.51006](http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ampc.2015.51006)

A. Khan _et al_ .

bres among natural fibre found abundant in nature on cultivation [4]. As compared to other natural fibres, the
substitution of coir fibre as reinforcing agent in polymer composites instead of synthetic fillers is not that easy
due to its poor interfacial adhesion on thermosetting polymers [5]. Significant work has been done in turn to improve the potency of fibre-matrix interface [5]-[8]; however, a lot of work has yet to be done in order to assure
the consistency of natural fibre composites.

Natural fibres are mainly required (next to cloth making) in the manufacture of composites. It is not only ecofriendly but also cost effective and durable. When compared to synthetic fillers such as glass, aramid, talc, and
silica, natural fibres have a low density in many cases in comparison to synthetic fibres. Further, they do not
leave any byproduct at the time of fabrication of composites because they are biodegradable in nature. In addition, these fibres can be processed at low temperature and therefore play a crucial role in energy investments for
the production of composites [9]-[16].

The use of natural fibres as a reinforcing agent in polymer composites has been the centre of attraction among
researchers during last so many years. The natural fibres are at a low density, and chemical treatments have been
done, easy availability, renewable and biodegradable in nature. Though their use as a reinforcing agent is not
much in vogue (because of their hydrophilic nature), their tendency to amass at the time of processing and their
poor resistance to moisture [17]. In the present study, chemical treatments have been done for treating natural
fibres so that their bonding with matrix can be improved by physical and chemical modification of fibre surface.
This study extended parts of some other authors’ work [1] in the field of coir fibres to find out some out some
insights/differences.

In the present study, the main objective was to find effect of chemical treatment of coir fibre and see changes
on the structure and morphology of fibre. It is clear from the obtained results that the chemically treated coir fibre
is a reinforcing agent in polymer science and it is worth using as engineering materials in modern technology.

2. Material and Method

The fibre used for experimental study was taken from the temples of Bhopal.

2.1. Processing of Coir Fibre

The fibre used for experimental study was kept inside water for 24 hours and then washed so as to remove impurities like dust etc. After drying it, the chemical treatment was given.

2.2. Chemical Treatment of Fibre

Ferric nitrate (monohydrate, extra pure, Fe(NO3)3∙9H2O) and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) was taken in the ratio
10:4 in 500 ml of distilled water. The mixture was stirred till a homogenous solution was obtained. In this mixture 10 g of processed coir fiber was added and then 1:1 solution of NH4OH (liquid ammonia) was added to it
and left the solution for one hour. Again the mixture thus obtained was dried and then annealed in muffle furnace at 1000˚C and kept it at that temperature for 15 min.

The reaction may take place in this way

( NO3 ) 3 ⋅ 9H2O + 3NH4Cl + 3NH4OH + Fiber → Fe2O3 : fiber ( ferric oxide : fiber ) + 6NH4 NO3

2Fe ( NO3 ) 3 ⋅ 9H2O + 3NH4Cl + 3NH4OH + Fiber → Fe2O3 : fiber ( ferric oxide : fiber ) + 6NH4 NO

⋅ 9H2O + 3NH4Cl + 3NH4OH + Fiber → Fe2O3 : fiber ( ferric oxide : fiber ) +

3HOCl + 18H2O

+ 3HOCl +

When ferric nitrate reacts with ammonium chloride and ammonium hydroxide along with coir fiber at 1000˚C
ferric oxide is formed which is confirmed through XRD analysis and other byproducts like 6NH4NO3 ammonium nitrate and HOCl (hypoclorous acid) decomposed at such high temperature and only ferric oxide is left.

2.3. Nature and Structure of Sample after Firing

The material formed was found to have the structure that of like sand crystals with holes in physical appearance.
The sample appeared in powder form and it is rusty in color.

2.4. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Analysis

The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images have been taken out from Japan made, JSM 6390A (JEOL Ja
40

A. Khan _et al_ .

pan) at dissimilar magnification of the above prepared samples. Before SEM examine the prepared samples
were layered with gold in a vacuum coating unit. The cross section areas ranging of samples were approximately
1 cm to 5 microns in width and the magnification ranging of SEM was the order of 20× to approximately
30,000×, with spatial resolution of 50 to 100 nm.

2.5. XRD Analysis

The XRD measurements were carried out using Bruker D8, X-ray diffractometer. The X-rays were produced
using a sealed tube and the wavelength of X-ray was 0.154 nm, and also operated at 40 kV and 100 mA with
radiation source (CuK-alpha). The angle (2 θ ) was scanned in the range of 5 to 80 at speed of 1.2 min −1 .

3. Results and Discussions

3.1. Results from SEM Analysis

Figure 1(a) and Figure 1(b) show the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of untreated fibre and
treated ones’ fired at 1000˚C. One can notice from the above figures that there is change in the morphology of
coir fibre before and after treatment. Uneven and cracked surface can be seen in the untreated samples which
may be due to the presence of impurities in the fibre. The intercellular gaps which are seen in the untreated fibre
were found to be less and there was change in the unevenness of the surface in contrast of treated fibre, it may
be due to the chemical treatment done on the fibre. The variation in the surface of fibre is found due to chemical
treatments and comparable behavior has been reported by some other researchers in their work [18] [19]. One
finds that there is removal of surface impurities by chemical treatment which makes the fiber rough and that
there was an increase in the surface area of fibre than that of raw fibre [20].

3.2. Results from XRD Analysis of Treated Fibre

The X-rays were detected by using a fast counting detector based on silicon strip technology (Bruker Lynx Eye
detector). From the X-ray diffraction study it is clear that treated fibre composites are crystalline in nature and
shows the peaks of Fe2O3 [21].

The XRD pattern of the received composite is shown in Figure 2 the XRD spectra exhibits characteristic
peaks at 2 θ values of 24.2, 33.2, 35.7, 40.9, 49.5, 44.5, 47.1, 54.1, 52.7, 57.6, 62.5, and 64.0 angstrom. It confirms the crystallinity of iron oxide fibre. Similar peaks of iron oxide have been observed by a researcher in his
work [22] [23].

The XRD measurement of present samples has been shown in Figure 2 such as followings.

3.3. FTIR Analysis

The FTIR analysis of treated fibre has been depicted in Figure 3 such as followings.

(a)                           (b)

Figure 1. (a) SEM of untreated fibre; (b) SEM of treated fibre.

A. Khan _et al_ .

Figure 3. FTIR analysis of treated fibre.

From the FTIR analysis ( Figure 3 ) the 3446 cm −1 broad intense absorption valley (low transmittance) in raw
coir fibre is due to the O-H stretching for hydrogen-bonded hydroxyl group present in polysaccharide. It also indicates the broad & strong band from cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin of coir fibre. The weak peak occurs at
1386 cm −1 in raw coir fibre is due to the presence of hemicelluloses that can be assigned to the group of C=O
stretching. However the broad intense absorption at 1049 cm −1 is that of (C-OH). The absorption at 2928 cm −1
refers to Alkyl C-H group. The absorption at 2359 cm −1 refers to water. The absorption at 1633 cm −1 in raw coir
is due to the C=C aromatic skeletal ring vibration due to lignin [24]-[26].

Further, the FTIR study shows that when the coir fibre is treated by ferric nitrate salts there is a shift in the
absorption from 3446 cm −1 to 3397 cm −1 which suggests that there is removal of impurities like lignin, cellulose
and hemi-cellulose in the fibre [17] [27]. However the absorption at 2928 cm −1 shifts to 2958 cm −1 which may
be due to the effect of chemical treatment done on coir fibre _i.e._, is there is change in the Alkyl C-H group. As
well as there is change in the peak from 1633 cm −1 to 1635 cm −1 states that there is change in C=C aromatic
skeletal ring vibration due to lignin which again may be due to the chemical treatment on coir fibre. Again, minor change in absorptivity is seen for water from 2359 cm −1 to 2358 cm −1 . However a broad valley at 556 cm −1
may refer to the Fe-O stretching and bending vibration mode of _γ_ -Fe2O3. Similar results were reported by some
authors [27] [28].

From above study it is clear that there is a trace of coir fibre in the sample in which there is an improvement
in the removal of impurities in the fibre. However the peak at 556 cm −1 proposes the presence of _γ_ -Fe2O3 in the
sample. As a result, it can be concluded that there is successful synthesis of iron oxide ( _γ_ -Fe2O3) fibre by annealing.

Finally, we were concluded the following discussions from the present experiment work:
A change in the morphology and structure has been found after the treatment of coir fibre which is confirmed
by SEM technique.

The XRD analysis shows that treated coir fibre composites are crystalline in nature and shows the traces of
_γ_ -Fe2O3:fibre.

Finally, the FTIR study also shows that when the coir fibre is treated by ferric nitrate salts there is a shift in
the valley from 3446 cm −1 to 3397 cm −1 which suggests that there is removal of impurities like lignin, cellulose
and hem-cellulose in the fibre.

A. Khan _et al_ .

4. Conclusions

This study deals with the preparation of coir fibre composites with some new modification methods. Finally
based upon the present study, one can draw the following conclusions:

It is clear that chemical treatment of coir fibre is an effective method to modify the properties of fibre. Change
in the morphology of coir fibre has been seen through SEM analysis. An XRD study reveals the crystal structure
of the samples. The FTIR study confirms the reduction of impurities from the fibre.

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to UGC-DAE Consortium, Indore for providing research facilities. The authors are also
highly grateful to Vice Presidency for Graduate/Studies and Scientific Research at University of Tabuk, and
Ministry of Higher Education, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the kind financial assistance.

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