Liquefaction of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) into phenol and characterization of phenolated EFB resin

Novolak-type resin was prepared by liquefaction of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) in phenol using sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The effects of liquefaction time, input initial phenol, and the nature of EFB on the liquefaction reaction was investigated by measuring the reaction yield and EFB residue. The viscosity and melt flow index of phenolated EFB (PEFB) was measured using capillary viscometer. The mechanical properties of PEFB-base molding materials were investigated using flexural and Izod impact tests. The results showed that, although reaction yield and combined phenol have been used by previous researchers to correlate with physical and mechanical properties of materials, they are unreliable as parameters for predicting the physical and mechanical properties of PEFB. Flexural properties were found to increase as the liquefaction time increased. The ratio of phenol to EFB was found to be the most effective parameter in the variation of apparent melt viscosity and melt flow index of PEFB.