Physical, mechanical and biodegradable properties of kenaf/coir hybrid fiber reinforced polymer nanocomposites

•Coir/kenaf/PP/MMT hybrid nanocomposites were manufactured by hot compression.•Hybridization and MMT increased mechanical properties.•MMT addition propelled new bond formation and improved adhesion between fibers and PP.•MMT also increased water absorption and improved biodegradability of nanocomposites.

Hybrid fiber reinforced polymer nanocomposites were prepared from kenaf fiber, coir fiber, polypropylene and montmorillonite nanoclay through hot compression method. The effects of fiber hybridization and montmorillonite on their physical, mechanical and biodegradable properties were subsequently investigated. Before being used, both kenaf and coir fibers were alkali treated with 2% sodium hydroxide solution for the diminution of hydrophilic nature of fiber surfaces and to increase adhesion and compatibility between fiber and polymer matrix. The mechanical properties of composites in terms of the tensile strength and Young's modulus were measured through universal tensile testing machine and found to be improved upon fiber hybridized and montmorillonite incorporated. Fourier transform infrared analysis results indicated new bond formation between hybrid fibers and polymer when montmorillonite was incorporated. The scanning electron microscopy microscopic analysis reveals that montmorillonite strongly improved the adhesion and compatibility between fibers and polymer matrix. Hybridization improved the biodegradability and water absorption characteristics of composites, while MMT addition had the reverse effect on the same properties.

Graphical abstractSEM micrographs of tensile fracture surfaces of (a) kenaf/PP composite, (b) kenaf/coir/PP hybrid composite and (c) kenaf/coir/PP/MMT hybrid nanocomposite (arrow indicates matrix–fiber interphase).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide