composition may differ with the growing condition optimize the interface of fibers.

Chemicals may
and activate
test methods even for the same kind of fiber. hydroxyl groups or introduce new moieties that
Cellulose can effectively interlock with the matrix. The
is a semicrystalline polysaccharide made up of development
Dglucopyranose of a definitive theory for the mechanism of
units linked together by b-(1-4)-glucosidic bonding by chemicals in composites is a complex
bonds [19]. And the large amount of hydroxyl problem. Generally, chemical coupling agents are
group in cellulose gives natural fiber hydrophilic molecules possessing two functions. The first
properties when used to reinforce hydrophobic function
matrices; is to react with hydroxyl groups of cellulose and the
the result is a very poor interface and poor second is to react with functional groups of the
resistance to moisture absorption [20]. Hemicellulose matrix.
is Bledzki and Gassan [9] outlined several mechanisms
strongly bound to cellulose fibrils presumably by of
hydrogen bonds. Hemicellulosic polymers are coupling in materials, namely: (a) elimination of
branched, fully amorphous and have a significantly weak
lower molecular weight than cellulose. Because of boundary layers; (b) production of a tough and
Natural fibers are considered as potential replacement flexible
for man-made fibers in composite materials. layer; (c) development of a highly crosslinked
Although interphase
natural fibers have advantages of being low cost and region with a modulus intermediate between
low density, they are not totally free of problems. A that of substrate and of the polymer; (d) improvement
serious problem of natural fibers is their strong polar of the wetting between polymer and substrate; (e)
character which creates incompatibility with most formation of covalent bonds with both materials; and
polymer matrices. Surface treatments, although (f) alteration of acidity of substrate surface.
having Chemical modifications of natural fibers aimed at
a negative impact on economics, are potentially able improving the adhesion with a polymer matrix were
to investigated by a number of researchers [4, 21–24].
overcome the problem of incompatibility. Chemical However, different chemicals were used and very
treatments can increase the interface adhesion limited papers [9, 18] took a partial review on the
between
the fiber and matrix, and decrease the water
absorption of fibers. Therefore, chemical treatments
can be considered in modifying the properties of
natural fibers. Some compounds are known to
promote
adhesion by chemically coupling the adhesive to the
material, such as sodium hydroxide, silane, acetic
acid,
acrylic acid, maleated coupling agents, isocyanates,
potassium permanganate, peroxide, etc. Fiber
modification
methods discussed in this paper have different
efficacy in causing adhesion between the matrix and
the fiber. Yet most chemical treatments have
achieved
various levels of success in improving fiber strength,
fiber fitness and fiber–matrix adhesnatural fiber
components [16].
Because the low interfacial properties between fiber
and polymer matrix often reduce their potential as
reinforcing agents due to the hydrophilic nature of
natural fibers, chemical modifications are considered
to