Results of chemical modification of lignocellulosic fibers for use in composites

Lignocellulosic fibers are biopolymer composites made up primarily of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Polymers make up the cell wall and are responsible for most of the physical and chemical properties exhibited by lignocellulosic fibers. Certain properties, among them dimensional instability to moisture, biodegradability, flammability, thermoplasticity, and degradability by ultraviolet light, acids, and bases, are the result of chemical reactions involving the cell wall. It is these properties that dictate the end use of lignocellulosics in composite formulation. By changing the basic chemistry of the cell wall polymers by esterification, it is possible to change the basic properties of lignocellulosic fibers leading to the production of high performance composites.