Vijay Kumar Thakur, Ph.D. is a staff scientist in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineeringat Washington State University, U.S.A. He is editorial board member of several international journals including Advanced Chemistry Letters, Lignocelluloses, Drug Inventions Today (Elsevier), International Journal of Energy Engineering, Journal of Textile Science & Engineering (U.S.A).He also member of scientific bodies around the world. His former appointments include as a research scientist in Temasek Laboratories at Nanyang Technological University Singapore, visiting research fellow in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at Lhu-Taiwan and post-doctorate in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Iowa State University, USA.In his academic career, he published more than 100 research articles, patent and conference proceedings in the field of polymers and materials science. He has published ten books and twenty-five book chapters on the advanced state-of-the-art of polymers and materials science with numerous publishers. He has extensive expertise in the synthesis of natural and synthetic polymers, nano-materials, nanocomposites, biocomposites, graft copolymers, high performance capacitors and electrochromic materials.

• Preface xvii Part I: LIGNOCELLULOSIC NATURAL POLYMERS BASED COMPOSITES 1 Lignocellulosic Polymer Composites: A Brief Overview 3Manju Kumari Thakur, Aswinder Kumar Rana and Vijay Kumar Thakur 1.1 Introduction 3 1.2 Lignocellulosic Polymers: Source, Classification and Processing 4 1.3 Lignocellulosic Natural Fibers: Structure, Chemical Composition and  Properties 8 1.4 Lignocellulosic Polymer Composites: Classification and Applications 10 1.5 Conclusions 13 2 Interfacial Adhesion in Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites 17E. Petinakis, L. Yu, G. Simon, X. Dai, Z. Chen and K. Dean 2.1 Introduction 17 2.2 PLA-Based Wood-Flour Composites 18 2.3 Optimizing Interfacial Adhesion in Wood-Polymer Composites 20 2.4 Evaluation of Interfacial Properties 30 2.5 Conclusions 34 3 Research on Cellulose-Based Polymer Composites in Southeast Asia 41Riza Wirawan and S.M. Sapuan 3.1 Introduction 42 3.2 Sugar Palm (Arenga pinnata) 44 3.3 Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis) 46 3.4 Durian (Durio Zibethinus) 49 3.5 Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) 51 3.6 Summary 57 4 Hybrid Vegetable/Glass Fiber Composites 63Sandro C. Amico, Jose R. M. d’Almeida, Laura H. de Carvalhoand Maria O. H. Cioffi 4.1 Introduction 63 4.2 Vegetable Fiber/Glass Fiber Thermoplastic Composites 67 4.3 Intra-Laminate Vegetable Fiber/glass Fiber Thermoset Composites 69 4.4 Inter-Laminate Vegetable Fiber/glass Fiber Thermoset Composites 71 4.5 Concluding Remarks 75 Acknowledgement 76 References 76 5 Flax-Based Reinforcement Requirements for Obtaining Structural and Complex Shape Lignocellulosic Polymer Composite Parts 83Pierre Ouagne and Damien Soulat 5.1 Introduction 84 5.2 Experimental Procedures 86 5.3 Results and Discussion 90 5.4 Discussions 97 5.5 Conclusions 98 6 Typical Brazilian Lignocellulosic Natural Fibers as Reinforcement of Thermosetting and Thermoplastics Matrices 103Patrícia C. Miléo, Rosineide M. Leão, Sandra M. Luz, George J. M. Rocha and Adilson R. Gonçalves 6.1 Introduction 104 6.2 Experimental 105 6.3 Results and Discussion 110 6.4 Conclusions 122 Acknowledgements 123 7 Cellulose-Based Starch Composites: Structure and Properties 125Carmen-Alice Teacã, Ruxanda Bodîrlãu and Iuliana Spiridon 7.1 Introduction 125 7.2 Starch and Cellulose Biobased Polymers for Composite Formulations 126 7.3 Chemical Modification of Starch 127 7.4 Cellulose-Based Starch Composites 129 7.5 Conclusions/Perspectives 139 8 Spectroscopy Analysis and Applications of Rice Husk and Gluten Husk Using Computational Chemistry 147Norma-Aurea Rangel-Vazquez, Virginia Hernandez-Montoya and Adrian Bonilla-Petriciolet 8.1 Introduction 148 8.2 Methodology 160 8.3 Results and Discussions 161 8.4 Conclusions 171 9 Oil Palm Fiber Polymer Composites: Processing, Characterization and Properties 175S. Shinoj and R. Visvanathan 9.1 Introduction 176 9.2 Oil Palm Fiber 177 9.3 Oil Palm Fiber Composites 184 9.4 Conclusions 208 10 Lignocellulosic Polymer Composites: Processing, Characterization and Properties 213Bryan L. S. Sipião, Lais Souza Reis, Rayane de Lima Moura Paiva, Maria Rosa Capri and Daniella R. Mulinari 10.1 Introduction 213 10.2 Palm Fibers 214 10.3 Pineapple Fibers 220 Acknowledgements 227 Part II: CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF CELLULOSIC MATERIALS FOR ADVANCED COMPOSITES 11 Agro-Residual Fibers as Potential Reinforcement Elements for Biocomposites 233Nazire Deniz Yilmaz 11.1 Introduction 233 11.2 Fiber Sources 235 11.3 Fiber Extraction methods 239 11.4 Classification of Plant Fibers 246 11.5 Properties of Plant Fibers 247 11.6. Properties of Agro-Based Fibers 249 11.7 Modification of Agro-Based Fibers 258 11.8 Conclusion 266 12 Surface Modification Strategies for Cellulosic Fibers 271Inderdeep Singh, Pramendra Kumar Bajpai 12.1 Introduction 271 12.2 Special Treatments during Primary Processing 273 12.3 Other Chemical Treatments 277 12.4 Conclusions 278 13 Effect of Chemical Functionalization on Functional Properties of Cellulosic Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites 281Ashvinder Kumar Rana, Amar Singh Singha, Manju Kumari Thakur and Vijay Kumar Thakur 13.1 Introduction 282 13.2 Chemical Functionalization of Cellulosic Fibers 283 13.3 Results and Discussion 284 13.4 Conclusion 297 14 Chemical Modification and Properties of Cellulose-Based Polymer Composites 301Md. Saiful Islam, Mahbub Hasan and Mansor Hj. Ahmad @ Ayob 14.1 Introduction 302 14.2 Alkali Treatment 303 14.3 Benzene Diazonium Salt Treatment  306 14.4 o-hydroxybenzene Diazonium Salt Treatment 310 14.5 Succinic Anhydride Treatment 313 14.6 Acrylonitrile Treatment 317 14.7 Maleic Anhydride Treatment 318 14.8 Nanoclay Treatment 318 14.9 Some other Chemical Treatment with Natural Fibers 320 14.10 Conclusions 321 Part III: PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF CELLULOSE/ POLYMER COMPOSITES    325 15 Weathering of Lignocellulosic Polymer Composites 327Asim Shahzad and D. H. Isaac 15.1 Introduction 328 15.2 UV Radiation 330 15.3 Moisture 335 15.4 Testing of Weathering Properties 342 15.5 Studies on Weathering of LPCs 345 15.6 Conclusions 362 16 Effect of Layering Pattern on the Physical, Mechanical and Acoustic Properties of Luffa/Coir Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Novolac Hybrid Composites 369Sudhir Kumar Saw, Gautam Sarkhel and Arup Choudhury 16.1 Introduction 369 16.2 Experimental 373 16.3. Characterization of ENR-Based Luffa/Coir Hybrid Composites 374 16.4 Results and Discussion 376 16.5 Conclusions 383 Acknowledgements 383 17 Fracture Mechanism of Wood-Plastic Composites (WPCS): Observation and Analysis 385Fatemeh Alavi, Amir Hossein Behravesh and Majid Mirzaei 17.1 Introduction 385 17.2 Fracture Mechanism 396 17.3 Toughness Characterization 398 17.4 Fracture Observation 400 17.5 Fracture Analysis 402 17.6 Conclusion 409 18 Mechanical Behavior of Biocomposites under Different Operating Environments 417Inderdeep Singh, Kishore Debnath and Akshay Dvivedi 18.1 Introduction 417 18.2 Classification and Structure of Natural Fibers 419 18.3 Moisture Absorption Behavior of Biocomposites 421 18.4 Mechanical Characterization of Biocomposites in a Humid Environment 423 18.5 Oil Absorption Behavior and Its Effects on Mechanical Properties of Biocomposites 424 18.6 UV-Irradiation and Its Effects on Mechanical Properties of Biocomposites 425 18.7 Mechanical Behavior of Biocomposites Subjected to Thermal Loading 426 18.8 Biodegradation Behavior and Mechanical Characterization of Soil Buried Biocomposites 428 18.9 Conclusions 429 Part IV: APPLICATIONS OF CELLULOSE/ POLYMER COMPOSITES 433 19 Cellulose Composites for Construction Applications 435Catalina Gómez Hoyos and Analía Vazquez 19.1 Polymers Reinforced with Natural Fibers for Construction Applications 435 19.2 Portland Cement Matrix Reinforced with Natural Fibers for Construction Applications 440 20 Jute: An Interesting Lignocellulosic Fiber for New Generation Applications 453Murshid Iman and Tarun K. Maji 20.1 Introduction 453 20.2 Reinforcing Biofibers 455 20.3 Biodegradable Polymers 465 20.4 Jute-Reinforced Biocomposites 466 20.5 Applications 468 20.6 Concluding Remarks 468 Acknowledgement 469 21 Cellulose-Based Polymers for Packaging Applications 477Behjat Tajeddin 21.1 Introduction 477 21.2 Cellulose as a Polymeric Biomaterial 481 21.3 Cellulose as Coatings and Films Material 490 21.4 Nanocellulose or Cellulose Nanocomposites 492 21.5 Quality Control Tests 493 21.6 Conclusions 495 22 Applications of Kenaf-Lignocellulosic Fiber in Polymer Blends 499Norshahida Sarifuddin and Hanafi Ismail 22.1 Introduction 499 22.2 Natural Fibers 500 22.3 Kenaf: Malaysian Cultivation 505 22.4 Kenaf Fibers and Composites 508 22.5 Kenaf Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)/Thermoplastic Sago Starch (TPSS) Blends 509 22.6 The Effects of Kenaf Fiber Treatment on the Properties of LDPE/TPSS Blends 512 22.7 Outlook and Future Trends 517 Acknowledgement 517 23 Application of Natural Fiber as Reinforcement in Recycled Polypropylene Biocomposites 523Sanjay K Nayak and Gajendra Dixit 23.1 Introduction 523 23.2 Recycled Polypropylene (RPP) – A matrix for Natural Fiber Composites 533 23.3 Natural Fiber-Based Composites – An Overview 534 23.4 Conclusion 545 Index 551

Vijay Kumar Thakur, Ph.D. is a staff scientist in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineeringat Washington State University, U.S.A. He is editorial board member of several international journals including Advanced Chemistry Letters, Lignocelluloses, Drug Inventions Today (Elsevier), International Journal of Energy Engineering, Journal of Textile Science & Engineering (U.S.A).He also member of scientific bodies around the world. His former appointments include as a research scientist in Temasek Laboratories at Nanyang Technological University Singapore, visiting research fellow in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at Lhu-Taiwan and post-doctorate in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Iowa State University, USA.In his academic career, he published more than 100 research articles, patent and conference proceedings in the field of polymers and materials science. He has published ten books and twenty-five book chapters on the advanced state-of-the-art of polymers and materials science with numerous publishers. He has extensive expertise in the synthesis of natural and synthetic polymers, nano-materials, nanocomposites, biocomposites, graft copolymers, high performance capacitors and electrochromic materials.

• Preface xvii Part I: LIGNOCELLULOSIC NATURAL POLYMERS BASED COMPOSITES 1 Lignocellulosic Polymer Composites: A Brief Overview 3Manju Kumari Thakur, Aswinder Kumar Rana and Vijay Kumar Thakur 1.1 Introduction 3 1.2 Lignocellulosic Polymers: Source, Classification and Processing 4 1.3 Lignocellulosic Natural Fibers: Structure, Chemical Composition and  Properties 8 1.4 Lignocellulosic Polymer Composites: Classification and Applications 10 1.5 Conclusions 13 2 Interfacial Adhesion in Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites 17E. Petinakis, L. Yu, G. Simon, X. Dai, Z. Chen and K. Dean 2.1 Introduction 17 2.2 PLA-Based Wood-Flour Composites 18 2.3 Optimizing Interfacial Adhesion in Wood-Polymer Composites 20 2.4 Evaluation of Interfacial Properties 30 2.5 Conclusions 34 3 Research on Cellulose-Based Polymer Composites in Southeast Asia 41Riza Wirawan and S.M. Sapuan 3.1 Introduction 42 3.2 Sugar Palm (Arenga pinnata) 44 3.3 Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis) 46 3.4 Durian (Durio Zibethinus) 49 3.5 Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) 51 3.6 Summary 57 4 Hybrid Vegetable/Glass Fiber Composites 63Sandro C. Amico, Jose R. M. d’Almeida, Laura H. de Carvalhoand Maria O. H. Cioffi 4.1 Introduction 63 4.2 Vegetable Fiber/Glass Fiber Thermoplastic Composites 67 4.3 Intra-Laminate Vegetable Fiber/glass Fiber Thermoset Composites 69 4.4 Inter-Laminate Vegetable Fiber/glass Fiber Thermoset Composites 71 4.5 Concluding Remarks 75 Acknowledgement 76 References 76 5 Flax-Based Reinforcement Requirements for Obtaining Structural and Complex Shape Lignocellulosic Polymer Composite Parts 83Pierre Ouagne and Damien Soulat 5.1 Introduction 84 5.2 Experimental Procedures 86 5.3 Results and Discussion 90 5.4 Discussions 97 5.5 Conclusions 98 6 Typical Brazilian Lignocellulosic Natural Fibers as Reinforcement of Thermosetting and Thermoplastics Matrices 103Patrícia C. Miléo, Rosineide M. Leão, Sandra M. Luz, George J. M. Rocha and Adilson R. Gonçalves 6.1 Introduction 104 6.2 Experimental 105 6.3 Results and Discussion 110 6.4 Conclusions 122 Acknowledgements 123 7 Cellulose-Based Starch Composites: Structure and Properties 125Carmen-Alice Teacã, Ruxanda Bodîrlãu and Iuliana Spiridon 7.1 Introduction 125 7.2 Starch and Cellulose Biobased Polymers for Composite Formulations 126 7.3 Chemical Modification of Starch 127 7.4 Cellulose-Based Starch Composites 129 7.5 Conclusions/Perspectives 139 8 Spectroscopy Analysis and Applications of Rice Husk and Gluten Husk Using Computational Chemistry 147Norma-Aurea Rangel-Vazquez, Virginia Hernandez-Montoya and Adrian Bonilla-Petriciolet 8.1 Introduction 148 8.2 Methodology 160 8.3 Results and Discussions 161 8.4 Conclusions 171 9 Oil Palm Fiber Polymer Composites: Processing, Characterization and Properties 175S. Shinoj and R. Visvanathan 9.1 Introduction 176 9.2 Oil Palm Fiber 177 9.3 Oil Palm Fiber Composites 184 9.4 Conclusions 208 10 Lignocellulosic Polymer Composites: Processing, Characterization and Properties 213Bryan L. S. Sipião, Lais Souza Reis, Rayane de Lima Moura Paiva, Maria Rosa Capri and Daniella R. Mulinari 10.1 Introduction 213 10.2 Palm Fibers 214 10.3 Pineapple Fibers 220 Acknowledgements 227 Part II: CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF CELLULOSIC MATERIALS FOR ADVANCED COMPOSITES 11 Agro-Residual Fibers as Potential Reinforcement Elements for Biocomposites 233Nazire Deniz Yilmaz 11.1 Introduction 233 11.2 Fiber Sources 235 11.3 Fiber Extraction methods 239 11.4 Classification of Plant Fibers 246 11.5 Properties of Plant Fibers 247 11.6. Properties of Agro-Based Fibers 249 11.7 Modification of Agro-Based Fibers 258 11.8 Conclusion 266 12 Surface Modification Strategies for Cellulosic Fibers 271Inderdeep Singh, Pramendra Kumar Bajpai 12.1 Introduction 271 12.2 Special Treatments during Primary Processing 273 12.3 Other Chemical Treatments 277 12.4 Conclusions 278 13 Effect of Chemical Functionalization on Functional Properties of Cellulosic Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites 281Ashvinder Kumar Rana, Amar Singh Singha, Manju Kumari Thakur and Vijay Kumar Thakur 13.1 Introduction 282 13.2 Chemical Functionalization of Cellulosic Fibers 283 13.3 Results and Discussion 284 13.4 Conclusion 297 14 Chemical Modification and Properties of Cellulose-Based Polymer Composites 301Md. Saiful Islam, Mahbub Hasan and Mansor Hj. Ahmad @ Ayob 14.1 Introduction 302 14.2 Alkali Treatment 303 14.3 Benzene Diazonium Salt Treatment  306 14.4 o-hydroxybenzene Diazonium Salt Treatment 310 14.5 Succinic Anhydride Treatment 313 14.6 Acrylonitrile Treatment 317 14.7 Maleic Anhydride Treatment 318 14.8 Nanoclay Treatment 318 14.9 Some other Chemical Treatment with Natural Fibers 320 14.10 Conclusions 321 Part III: PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF CELLULOSE/ POLYMER COMPOSITES    325 15 Weathering of Lignocellulosic Polymer Composites 327Asim Shahzad and D. H. Isaac 15.1 Introduction 328 15.2 UV Radiation 330 15.3 Moisture 335 15.4 Testing of Weathering Properties 342 15.5 Studies on Weathering of LPCs 345 15.6 Conclusions 362 16 Effect of Layering Pattern on the Physical, Mechanical and Acoustic Properties of Luffa/Coir Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Novolac Hybrid Composites 369Sudhir Kumar Saw, Gautam Sarkhel and Arup Choudhury 16.1 Introduction 369 16.2 Experimental 373 16.3. Characterization of ENR-Based Luffa/Coir Hybrid Composites 374 16.4 Results and Discussion 376 16.5 Conclusions 383 Acknowledgements 383 17 Fracture Mechanism of Wood-Plastic Composites (WPCS): Observation and Analysis 385Fatemeh Alavi, Amir Hossein Behravesh and Majid Mirzaei 17.1 Introduction 385 17.2 Fracture Mechanism 396 17.3 Toughness Characterization 398 17.4 Fracture Observation 400 17.5 Fracture Analysis 402 17.6 Conclusion 409 18 Mechanical Behavior of Biocomposites under Different Operating Environments 417Inderdeep Singh, Kishore Debnath and Akshay Dvivedi 18.1 Introduction 417 18.2 Classification and Structure of Natural Fibers 419 18.3 Moisture Absorption Behavior of Biocomposites 421 18.4 Mechanical Characterization of Biocomposites in a Humid Environment 423 18.5 Oil Absorption Behavior and Its Effects on Mechanical Properties of Biocomposites 424 18.6 UV-Irradiation and Its Effects on Mechanical Properties of Biocomposites 425 18.7 Mechanical Behavior of Biocomposites Subjected to Thermal Loading 426 18.8 Biodegradation Behavior and Mechanical Characterization of Soil Buried Biocomposites 428 18.9 Conclusions 429 Part IV: APPLICATIONS OF CELLULOSE/ POLYMER COMPOSITES 433 19 Cellulose Composites for Construction Applications 435Catalina Gómez Hoyos and Analía Vazquez 19.1 Polymers Reinforced with Natural Fibers for Construction Applications 435 19.2 Portland Cement Matrix Reinforced with Natural Fibers for Construction Applications 440 20 Jute: An Interesting Lignocellulosic Fiber for New Generation Applications 453Murshid Iman and Tarun K. Maji 20.1 Introduction 453 20.2 Reinforcing Biofibers 455 20.3 Biodegradable Polymers 465 20.4 Jute-Reinforced Biocomposites 466 20.5 Applications 468 20.6 Concluding Remarks 468 Acknowledgement 469 21 Cellulose-Based Polymers for Packaging Applications 477Behjat Tajeddin 21.1 Introduction 477 21.2 Cellulose as a Polymeric Biomaterial 481 21.3 Cellulose as Coatings and Films Material 490 21.4 Nanocellulose or Cellulose Nanocomposites 492 21.5 Quality Control Tests 493 21.6 Conclusions 495 22 Applications of Kenaf-Lignocellulosic Fiber in Polymer Blends 499Norshahida Sarifuddin and Hanafi Ismail 22.1 Introduction 499 22.2 Natural Fibers 500 22.3 Kenaf: Malaysian Cultivation 505 22.4 Kenaf Fibers and Composites 508 22.5 Kenaf Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)/Thermoplastic Sago Starch (TPSS) Blends 509 22.6 The Effects of Kenaf Fiber Treatment on the Properties of LDPE/TPSS Blends 512 22.7 Outlook and Future Trends 517 Acknowledgement 517 23 Application of Natural Fiber as Reinforcement in Recycled Polypropylene Biocomposites 523Sanjay K Nayak and Gajendra Dixit 23.1 Introduction 523 23.2 Recycled Polypropylene (RPP) – A matrix for Natural Fiber Composites 533 23.3 Natural Fiber-Based Composites – An Overview 534 23.4 Conclusion 545 Index 551

Vijay Kumar Thakur, Ph.D. is a staff scientist in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineeringat Washington State University, U.S.A. He is editorial board member of several international journals including Advanced Chemistry Letters, Lignocelluloses, Drug Inventions Today (Elsevier), International Journal of Energy Engineering, Journal of Textile Science & Engineering (U.S.A).He also member of scientific bodies around the world. His former appointments include as a research scientist in Temasek Laboratories at Nanyang Technological University Singapore, visiting research fellow in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at Lhu-Taiwan and post-doctorate in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Iowa State University, USA.In his academic career, he published more than 100 research articles, patent and conference proceedings in the field of polymers and materials science. He has published ten books and twenty-five book chapters on the advanced state-of-the-art of polymers and materials science with numerous publishers. He has extensive expertise in the synthesis of natural and synthetic polymers, nano-materials, nanocomposites, biocomposites, graft copolymers, high performance capacitors and electrochromic materials.

• Preface xvii Part I: LIGNOCELLULOSIC NATURAL POLYMERS BASED COMPOSITES 1 Lignocellulosic Polymer Composites: A Brief Overview 3Manju Kumari Thakur, Aswinder Kumar Rana and Vijay Kumar Thakur 1.1 Introduction 3 1.2 Lignocellulosic Polymers: Source, Classification and Processing 4 1.3 Lignocellulosic Natural Fibers: Structure, Chemical Composition and  Properties 8 1.4 Lignocellulosic Polymer Composites: Classification and Applications 10 1.5 Conclusions 13 2 Interfacial Adhesion in Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites 17E. Petinakis, L. Yu, G. Simon, X. Dai, Z. Chen and K. Dean 2.1 Introduction 17 2.2 PLA-Based Wood-Flour Composites 18 2.3 Optimizing Interfacial Adhesion in Wood-Polymer Composites 20 2.4 Evaluation of Interfacial Properties 30 2.5 Conclusions 34 3 Research on Cellulose-Based Polymer Composites in Southeast Asia 41Riza Wirawan and S.M. Sapuan 3.1 Introduction 42 3.2 Sugar Palm (Arenga pinnata) 44 3.3 Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis) 46 3.4 Durian (Durio Zibethinus) 49 3.5 Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) 51 3.6 Summary 57 4 Hybrid Vegetable/Glass Fiber Composites 63Sandro C. Amico, Jose R. M. d’Almeida, Laura H. de Carvalhoand Maria O. H. Cioffi 4.1 Introduction 63 4.2 Vegetable Fiber/Glass Fiber Thermoplastic Composites 67 4.3 Intra-Laminate Vegetable Fiber/glass Fiber Thermoset Composites 69 4.4 Inter-Laminate Vegetable Fiber/glass Fiber Thermoset Composites 71 4.5 Concluding Remarks 75 Acknowledgement 76 References 76 5 Flax-Based Reinforcement Requirements for Obtaining Structural and Complex Shape Lignocellulosic Polymer Composite Parts 83Pierre Ouagne and Damien Soulat 5.1 Introduction 84 5.2 Experimental Procedures 86 5.3 Results and Discussion 90 5.4 Discussions 97 5.5 Conclusions 98 6 Typical Brazilian Lignocellulosic Natural Fibers as Reinforcement of Thermosetting and Thermoplastics Matrices 103Patrícia C. Miléo, Rosineide M. Leão, Sandra M. Luz, George J. M. Rocha and Adilson R. Gonçalves 6.1 Introduction 104 6.2 Experimental 105 6.3 Results and Discussion 110 6.4 Conclusions 122 Acknowledgements 123 7 Cellulose-Based Starch Composites: Structure and Properties 125Carmen-Alice Teacã, Ruxanda Bodîrlãu and Iuliana Spiridon 7.1 Introduction 125 7.2 Starch and Cellulose Biobased Polymers for Composite Formulations 126 7.3 Chemical Modification of Starch 127 7.4 Cellulose-Based Starch Composites 129 7.5 Conclusions/Perspectives 139 8 Spectroscopy Analysis and Applications of Rice Husk and Gluten Husk Using Computational Chemistry 147Norma-Aurea Rangel-Vazquez, Virginia Hernandez-Montoya and Adrian Bonilla-Petriciolet 8.1 Introduction 148 8.2 Methodology 160 8.3 Results and Discussions 161 8.4 Conclusions 171 9 Oil Palm Fiber Polymer Composites: Processing, Characterization and Properties 175S. Shinoj and R. Visvanathan 9.1 Introduction 176 9.2 Oil Palm Fiber 177 9.3 Oil Palm Fiber Composites 184 9.4 Conclusions 208 10 Lignocellulosic Polymer Composites: Processing, Characterization and Properties 213Bryan L. S. Sipião, Lais Souza Reis, Rayane de Lima Moura Paiva, Maria Rosa Capri and Daniella R. Mulinari 10.1 Introduction 213 10.2 Palm Fibers 214 10.3 Pineapple Fibers 220 Acknowledgements 227 Part II: CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF CELLULOSIC MATERIALS FOR ADVANCED COMPOSITES 11 Agro-Residual Fibers as Potential Reinforcement Elements for Biocomposites 233Nazire Deniz Yilmaz 11.1 Introduction 233 11.2 Fiber Sources 235 11.3 Fiber Extraction methods 239 11.4 Classification of Plant Fibers 246 11.5 Properties of Plant Fibers 247 11.6. Properties of Agro-Based Fibers 249 11.7 Modification of Agro-Based Fibers 258 11.8 Conclusion 266 12 Surface Modification Strategies for Cellulosic Fibers 271Inderdeep Singh, Pramendra Kumar Bajpai 12.1 Introduction 271 12.2 Special Treatments during Primary Processing 273 12.3 Other Chemical Treatments 277 12.4 Conclusions 278 13 Effect of Chemical Functionalization on Functional Properties of Cellulosic Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites 281Ashvinder Kumar Rana, Amar Singh Singha, Manju Kumari Thakur and Vijay Kumar Thakur 13.1 Introduction 282 13.2 Chemical Functionalization of Cellulosic Fibers 283 13.3 Results and Discussion 284 13.4 Conclusion 297 14 Chemical Modification and Properties of Cellulose-Based Polymer Composites 301Md. Saiful Islam, Mahbub Hasan and Mansor Hj. Ahmad @ Ayob 14.1 Introduction 302 14.2 Alkali Treatment 303 14.3 Benzene Diazonium Salt Treatment  306 14.4 o-hydroxybenzene Diazonium Salt Treatment 310 14.5 Succinic Anhydride Treatment 313 14.6 Acrylonitrile Treatment 317 14.7 Maleic Anhydride Treatment 318 14.8 Nanoclay Treatment 318 14.9 Some other Chemical Treatment with Natural Fibers 320 14.10 Conclusions 321 Part III: PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF CELLULOSE/ POLYMER COMPOSITES    325 15 Weathering of Lignocellulosic Polymer Composites 327Asim Shahzad and D. H. Isaac 15.1 Introduction 328 15.2 UV Radiation 330 15.3 Moisture 335 15.4 Testing of Weathering Properties 342 15.5 Studies on Weathering of LPCs 345 15.6 Conclusions 362 16 Effect of Layering Pattern on the Physical, Mechanical and Acoustic Properties of Luffa/Coir Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Novolac Hybrid Composites 369Sudhir Kumar Saw, Gautam Sarkhel and Arup Choudhury 16.1 Introduction 369 16.2 Experimental 373 16.3. Characterization of ENR-Based Luffa/Coir Hybrid Composites 374 16.4 Results and Discussion 376 16.5 Conclusions 383 Acknowledgements 383 17 Fracture Mechanism of Wood-Plastic Composites (WPCS): Observation and Analysis 385Fatemeh Alavi, Amir Hossein Behravesh and Majid Mirzaei 17.1 Introduction 385 17.2 Fracture Mechanism 396 17.3 Toughness Characterization 398 17.4 Fracture Observation 400 17.5 Fracture Analysis 402 17.6 Conclusion 409 18 Mechanical Behavior of Biocomposites under Different Operating Environments 417Inderdeep Singh, Kishore Debnath and Akshay Dvivedi 18.1 Introduction 417 18.2 Classification and Structure of Natural Fibers 419 18.3 Moisture Absorption Behavior of Biocomposites 421 18.4 Mechanical Characterization of Biocomposites in a Humid Environment 423 18.5 Oil Absorption Behavior and Its Effects on Mechanical Properties of Biocomposites 424 18.6 UV-Irradiation and Its Effects on Mechanical Properties of Biocomposites 425 18.7 Mechanical Behavior of Biocomposites Subjected to Thermal Loading 426 18.8 Biodegradation Behavior and Mechanical Characterization of Soil Buried Biocomposites 428 18.9 Conclusions 429 Part IV: APPLICATIONS OF CELLULOSE/ POLYMER COMPOSITES 433 19 Cellulose Composites for Construction Applications 435Catalina Gómez Hoyos and Analía Vazquez 19.1 Polymers Reinforced with Natural Fibers for Construction Applications 435 19.2 Portland Cement Matrix Reinforced with Natural Fibers for Construction Applications 440 20 Jute: An Interesting Lignocellulosic Fiber for New Generation Applications 453Murshid Iman and Tarun K. Maji 20.1 Introduction 453 20.2 Reinforcing Biofibers 455 20.3 Biodegradable Polymers 465 20.4 Jute-Reinforced Biocomposites 466 20.5 Applications 468 20.6 Concluding Remarks 468 Acknowledgement 469 21 Cellulose-Based Polymers for Packaging Applications 477Behjat Tajeddin 21.1 Introduction 477 21.2 Cellulose as a Polymeric Biomaterial 481 21.3 Cellulose as Coatings and Films Material 490 21.4 Nanocellulose or Cellulose Nanocomposites 492 21.5 Quality Control Tests 493 21.6 Conclusions 495 22 Applications of Kenaf-Lignocellulosic Fiber in Polymer Blends 499Norshahida Sarifuddin and Hanafi Ismail 22.1 Introduction 499 22.2 Natural Fibers 500 22.3 Kenaf: Malaysian Cultivation 505 22.4 Kenaf Fibers and Composites 508 22.5 Kenaf Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)/Thermoplastic Sago Starch (TPSS) Blends 509 22.6 The Effects of Kenaf Fiber Treatment on the Properties of LDPE/TPSS Blends 512 22.7 Outlook and Future Trends 517 Acknowledgement 517 23 Application of Natural Fiber as Reinforcement in Recycled Polypropylene Biocomposites 523Sanjay K Nayak and Gajendra Dixit 23.1 Introduction 523 23.2 Recycled Polypropylene (RPP) – A matrix for Natural Fiber Composites 533 23.3 Natural Fiber-Based Composites – An Overview 534 23.4 Conclusion 545 Index 551