Abstract:
Jute fibres have been treated with enzymes, CO2
pulsed infra red laser, ozone and plasma to study the effect of these
treatments on their tensile, surface and thermal properties. Surface characteristics of jute fibres have been examined by scanning
electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy while thermal characteristics using differential scanning
calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). No significant reduction in the tensile strength of treated jute fibres
is observed. Changes in the surface chemical composition and increase in surface roughness are observed after the treatments.
DSC data show a decrease in decomposition temperature of hemicellulose of all treated jute fibres. DSC and TGA analyses
show no marginal difference in the cellulose decomposition temperature of untreated and treated jute fibres. The study shows a
change in the surface chemistry and morphology after treatments without any substantial change in the thermal stability and
tensile properties of jute fibres. The study also reveals the potential use of infrared laser and ozone treatments for the
modification of natural fibres besides the conventional treatments using enzymes and plasma.
