Title
Synthesis and characterization of functionalized zeolite reinforced lignocellulosic date palm fibers
Authors
IMENE DERROUICHE IMED BEN MARZOUG FAOUZI SAKLI AND SADOK ROUDESLI

Received March 16, 2015
Published Volume 51 Issue 3-4 March-April
Keywords zeolites, lignocellulosic fiber, XRD, XPS, SEM, EDX

Abstract
This paper reports on the synthesis of (3-Aminpropyl triethoxylane) functionalized zeolites by binding silane coupling agent onto the surface of zeolites, using the silylation technique. The modification procedure was carried out using two different methods. Zeolite/cellulose composites with a well-defined structure were then prepared from date palm lignocellulosic fibers and the functionalized zeolite powders. The effect of chemical modification of zeolites was investigated. Also, the effect of zeolite concentration, reaction temperature and contact time on the binding percent was studied. The obtained samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX and XPS. The results confirmed the deposition of treated zeolites onto modified date palm fiber. The work also aimed to characterize the reinforced date palm fiber, including its surface properties, degree of crystallinity and functional groups.