EFFECT OF CHEMICAL MODIFICATIONS ON FTIR SPECTRA .2. PHYSICOCHEMICAL BEHAVIOR OF PINEAPPLE LEAF FIBER (PALF)

This article highlights chemical modifications like alkali treatment, dinitrophenylation, benzoylation, and benzoylation-acetylation carried out on an pineapple agrowaste leaf fiber (PALF). The parent and chemi cally modified PALF were characterized by FTIR spectra, pH measurement , and detection of nitrogen. The percent moisture regain (extent of hy drophobicity), mechanical strength, and chemical inertness of parent a nd chemically modified fibers were evaluated. The modified fibers show ed significant hydrophobicity, improved mechanical strength, and moder ate chemical resistance. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.