Bio-composites from banana tree fibers ambient with multi-walled carbon nanotubes: manufacturing and properties

A biodegradable composite fibers have been fabricated from easily available banana tree fibers (BTFs) using a simple dip-drying technique, where carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are used as reinforcing agent. A safe radio frequency oxygen plasma processing method is used to functionalize the surface of the CNTs with hydrophilic oxygen-containing group. The fibers are chemically treated with NaOH followed by oxygen plasma treatment to increase the heat conduction between the fibers in thermal contact. The implications of incorporating CNTs in the BTFs are observed by studying the surface morphology, structural, thermal, electrical and mechanical properties. The homogeneous CNT coverage on the BTFs surface is featured by the scanning electron micrographs of the CNT/treated BTF. The crystallinity index is exposed through X-ray diffraction analysis, which indicates the crystalline feature of the nanocomposites. The surface modification by CNT treatment has improved the thermal stability and flame retardancy of BTFs. A gradual decrease of resistivity of these composite fibers is observed from 5.69 to 0.0021 Ω m by increasing the number of dip-drying cycle of BTFs in the CNTs solution. The electrical conductivity of the CNT/treated BTF becomes 163.75 S/m under the applied voltage of 100 V. The developed composite fibers exhibit an increase in the mechanical strength with the CNT coating. Therefore, the developed CNT-reinforced composite fibers affirm its aptitude as reliable reinforcement in electronic devices and as conductive fillers in composites industries.