Effect of alkali-silica treatments of miscanthus fibres on chemical and micro-morphological modifications

Chemical treatments can remove waxes and sugar components from the surface of bio-fibres, increasing their compatibility with mineral binders. This paper investigates effects alkali solutions on miscanthus shives. For 8, 24, 48 h, fibres were immersed in NaOH at 1.5, 2.5, 5.0% concentrations, without a 2.5% sodium silicate solution, having silica modulus (SiO2/Na2O) 2.0. SEM Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) used to investigate effect different microstructure chemistry miscanthus. The results show that morphologies significantly altered case treatment, weakening inner cell structures some locations. Furthermore, ATR-FTIR patterns raw treated shives analysed, suggesting treating required chemical modifications while retaining cellular structure fibres. all treatments, absorbance was reduced by 31 77% 450 cm−1 48–80% 1035 cm−1.