Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Natural biomass & waste biomass fibers – Structures, environmental footprints, sustainability, degumming methods, & surface modifications

2023; Elsevier BV; Volume: 204; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.indcrop.2023.117252

1872-633X

Md Shadhin, Mashiur Rahman, Raghavan Jayaraman, Ying Chen, Danny Mann, Wen Zhong,

biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties

The renewable characteristics of natural fibers have prompted consumers to switch from synthetic and petroleum-based resources. The dimension and geometry of the cell wall and lumen determine the microstructural parameters of natural biomass fibers (BFs) and waste biomass fibers (WBFs). The variation in these microstructural parameters, together with the divergences in the degumming methods and processing conditions, causes large variations in their physical and mechanical properties, unlike synthetic fibers. The utilization of WBFs points to a feasible approach to addressing waste disposal problems, while simultaneously creating value-added products with reduced water, energy, and carbon footprints. WBFs exhibit higher sustainability scores than biomass fibers BFs, suggesting that WBF is a more environmentally friendly material choice over BF. The efficacy of extracting high-quality fibers depends on the fiber source and degumming methods being correctly synchronized. High-quality fibers can be extracted from plant stalk through water, chemical, or enzyme retting; however, they can generate a secondary waste water stream, whereas mechanical extraction of fiber is feasible for scalable production. Mechanical technologies for extraction of WBFs are more environmentally friendly, but the technologies need to be further developed to improve the resultant fiber purity and quality. Surface modification is required for lignocellulosic fibers to tailor their flexibility, wettability, and fiber surface roughness for industrial applications. This review aimed to provide an insight on the background of BFs WBFs, together with their environmental impact, macro and microstructural features, structural variations, and current development of fiber processing technologies.