Looking for sustainable building materials? This research explores the use of alkali-treated hemp fiber to reinforce polycarbonate (PC) composites for 3D printing in architectural applications, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional materials. The study optimizes the alkali treatment process to enhance the composite's properties, focusing on achieving the best balance between sustainability and performance. Researchers compared the properties of PC composites reinforced with alkali-treated and untreated hemp fibers. The composite specimens, with varying fiber/matrix ratios, underwent tensile strength, FTIR, DSC, TGA, and SEM analyses. The results demonstrated that 5% NaOH alkali-treated, 10 wt.% hemp fiber-reinforced PC composites exhibited the highest mechanical performance, suggesting a superior blend of strength and sustainability. The study concludes that alkali-treated hemp fibers improve interfacial bonding with the PC matrix, resulting in sustainable materials suitable for architectural applications without significantly compromising PC properties. This offers a promising path toward integrating natural, sustainable materials into modern construction.
Published in Cellulose, this research aligns perfectly with the journal’s emphasis on cellulose-based materials and their sustainable applications. By exploring hemp fiber-reinforced polycarbonate composites, the study contributes to the journal's ongoing investigation into renewable materials for various industries. The focus on alkali treatment to optimize material properties further enhances the paper's relevance to the journal's scope.