EFFECT OF SILANE COUPLING AGENT TREATMENT FOR PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH AND BAMBOO FIBER

Abstract

Fiberglass is a synthetic material commonly used in construction, mainly for building and heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. However, its use poses potential health and environmental risks. Bio-based materials such as palm empty fruit bunch (PEFB) and bamboo fiber (BF) are promising natural insulation materials, providing a sustainable substitute to the frequently used fiberglass in HVAC ducting. The aim of this study was to characterize the physical and chemical properties of nonwoven bamboo fiber (BF) and Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (PEFB), both untreated and treated, as insulation materials for interior applications. The untreated BF and PEFB fibers, and the sample fibers treated with silane coupling agent, were subjected to physical characterization in terms of hydrophobicity using water contact angle (WCA), morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal decomposition using thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA), chemical functional groups using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal conductivity. The results suggest that the treated PEFB and BF display higher water repellence, improved thermal stability, and acceptable thermal conductivity. Therefore, treated PEFB and BF using silane coupling agents have a high potential to sustainably substitute the conventional FG as insulator for HVAC systems.