Vegetable fibers as multifunctional materials

Abstract

Concerns related to the ever-growing use of raw-materials from non-renewable sources by modern society is driving the interest of the academic and scientific sectors for a new concept of material, which takes into account not only mechanical performance, cost and availability, but also environmentally-related issues, such as biodegradability, renewability and energy use, along with the promotion of social and economical development of the economically-challenged segment of the population. Vegetable fibers have been used in many home-made objects, such as ropes and artcraft, for perhaps as long as humanity exists. However, these fibers present a combination of interesting properties which enables their use in a wide variety of sectors. This invited article will review the work recently carried out by the author in collaboration with various researchers from UFRGS, UFPR and UCS, and will be divided into three case studies, focusing on the use of vegetable fibers for oil sorption, as infiltration (flow) medium and as reinforcement for polymer composites, promoting their use in more demanding and rewarding applications.