Bio- and Nano- Composites from Transesterified Cured Coir Fibers

Natural fibers can be used to prepare fiber reinforced plastics (FRPs). The presence of different polar groups in the fibers impart high moisture regain and leads to weak interfacial bonding of fibers with the matrix resins. So, in order to develop composites with better properties it is necessary to impart significant hydrophobicity through different modifications. The agro waste coir fibers is one of the hardest natural fiber available because of its high content of lignin. Transesterification is a method for reducing the hygroscopicity of the coir, curing of these fibers with benzoyl peroxide leads to more rigidity. Modified coir increases hydrophobicity, thermal stability and can be used on a large scale for developing suitable reinforcing candidates for FRP. Coir has the unique properties of reducing silver cations over them followed by their stabilization. These AgNPs coated coir fibers can be used for designing and fabrication of novel conducting polymers, electronic and optical devices, optical sensors and mechanical sensors. Significant increase in thermal stability can be imparted to coir through transesterification and/or curing followed by coating with AgNPs.