Thermal Characterization of Biocomposites Based on PBS Matrix and Treated Date Palm Fibers

This work aims to study the thermal properties of biocomposites based on surface modified date palm fibers (DPF) using a combined action of xylanase and pectinase enzymes. Fibers treatment was effected as composites components (i.e. fibers and matrix) as well as their characteristics are the two principal parameters that determine its applications in any field. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the composites materials were carried out. It was found that the addition of raw fibers to the poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) matrix increase the composite crystallinity. The results have shown a significant improvement in the crystallinity rate with the composites having enzymatically treated fibers. This increase is about 30% by comparing it with the non-improved PBS, which is due to the presence of a very high percentage of crystalline material which is the cellulose. The addition of raw fibers to the PBS matrix induced a three main degradation phases as a function of the temperature. This was explained by the thermosensibility difference of the fibers components (hemicellulose, lignin,…). An increase in the degradation onset temperature was revealed with composites filled with enzmatically treated fibers, which proved that these composites exhibited a better thermal resistance.