Alkaline treated agave fiber: physicochemical and morphological characterization

Abstract Natural fibers are increasingly being explored as sustainable substitutes for synthetic fibers in various industries. Agave fibers, in particular, have shown great potential due to their excellent tensile strength, biodegradability and widespread availability in arid regions. However, their direct use in composites is limited by challenges such as high lignin content, suboptimal mechanical properties and inadequate adhesion to polymer matrices. This study discusses the modification of agave fibers through two chemical treatments: benzoyl peroxide and alkaline (NaOH) treatment. In addition to FT-IR and XRD for measuring the structural change, the chemical analysis, testing of physical properties (density, diameter) and morphological analysis (SEM) of the agave fibers were carried out with respect to the treatments. The results show that NaOH treatment could increase the cellulose contents and surface roughness of agave fibers, promoting the compatibility between the fibers and matrices. The treatment of fibers by benzoyl peroxide enhancing the interaction that the bond between the fibers and matrix through functional group attachment onto the fiber surface. These revelations will open avenues for the use of treated agave fibers in eco-fabric, biocomposites and other industrial applications.