Superficial modification by silanization of cellulose microfibers obtained from sugarcane bagasse

Microfibers exhibiting high water repellence were produced from sucarcane bagasse after conditioning and surface modification with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane. Three fiber conditioning treatments were studied: hypochlorite 3% (HP), a mixture of sodium chlorite and acetic acid (CAc) and an oxidant solution from hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide followed by alkaline treatment (OX-B). Lignin and hemicellulose were effectively removed from bagasse fibers using OX-B treatment which also lead to unbundled fibers with lengths of 567 ± 115 μm and 32 as aspect ratio. HP treatment produced shorter and less abundant fibers which had lengths in the range of 296 ± 32 μm. The efficacy of OX-B method allowed the production of a lignocellulosic material from sucarcane bagasse, ease to modify, water proof, whose characteristics make it a potential good filler for reinforcement of polymer matrix composites.