The effect of activated water degumming technique on alkali-pretreated banana fiber

There is a need for sustainable ways of processing plant fibers. Most chemical degumming methods pose a threat to the eco-system because of the presence of toxins during disposal. This study aimed to find sustainable ways of processing banana fiber with less harm to the environment. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and activated water were utilized for degumming and softening of the banana fiber. Activated water is an aqueous solution of electrolyte with strongly oxidizing active substances prepared by an electrochemical method. The alkali-pretreated banana fiber were immersed in activated water to refine banana fiber. The results from the study show that activated water further refined the fibers down to 39.7 µm diameter after NaOH pretreatment and also achieved better whiteness at 74.7%. The electrochemically activated water solutions displayed a promising effect in removing lignin, hemicellulose, and other impurities. The fibers of this quality could be used in the spinning of yarn and for other textile applications. Various analytical techniques, including digital microscope, scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, tensile test, and whiteness test were utilized. These tests confirmed that the activated water used on banana fiber enhanced physical, chemical, and morphological properties.