Effect of cellulose-based fibers extracted from pineapple (Ananas comosus) leaf in the formation of polyurethane foam

Abstract

New polyurethane foams were fabricated utilizing cellulose-based fibers extracted from pineapple (Ananas comosus) leaf as raw material. The pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) were treated with alkali and subsequently bleached to enhance its fiber-matrix adhesion. Polyurethane composites have been prepared by incorporating 10% cellulose-based fibers extracted from PALF during polyurethane synthesis. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed that increase in the C-H and C-O vibrational modes absorption were observed when cellulose-based fibers were incorporated which might be attributed to the successful bonding of high purity cellulose-based fibers in the matrix of polyurethane foam. The physico-chemical, spectral and thermal properties of the polyurethane foam and the cellulose-based fibers reinforced polyurethane composites have been studied.

Keywords: Cellulose-based fibers; Pineapple leaf fibers; Polyurethane foam