Research Article

Alkaline Pretreatment of Chamaerops humilis L. Fibers: Effect of NaOH Concentration on Composition and Structure

Volume: 2026 May 9, 2026

Alkaline Pretreatment of Chamaerops humilis L. Fibers: Effect of NaOH Concentration on Composition and Structure

Abstract

In this study, natural fibers extracted from the Moroccan doum plant (Chamaerops humilis L.) were subjected to alkaline treatment using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions at varying concentrations (0%, 6%, 8%, 12%, and 20% w/w) for 24 hours. The objective was to evaluate the impact of alkaline concentration on the structural, chemical, and morphological characteristics of the fibers for potential reinforcement in polymer matrices. Alkaline treatment was selected for its simplicity, cost-efficiency, and environmentally benign nature. The treated fibers were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FT-IR analysis revealed progressive removal of hemicellulose and lignin, evidenced by the reduction of characteristic absorption bands. XRD results indicated increased crystallinity with moderate alkali concentrations, while SEM images showed enhanced surface roughness due to removal of non-cellulosic materials. However, at higher concentrations (≥ 12%), over-treatment led to fiber surface degradation and partial structural collapse. These findings highlight an optimal NaOH concentration range for improving fiber–matrix compatibility while avoiding damage to the cellulose backbone.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

University of moulay ismail

Ethical Statement

We hereby confirm that this work is original, has not been published before, and is not currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. All authors have approved the manuscript and disclose no conflict of interest. Ethical guidelines have been followed in the research, and the data presented are truthful and accurate.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Materials Science and Technologies, Powder and Particle Technology, Materials Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

May 9, 2026

Submission Date

October 14, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 30, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 2026

APA
Sami, H., Oulidi, O., Karaoui, M., Elaaraj, I., Nakkabi, A., Alami, M., & El Moualij, N. (2026). Alkaline Pretreatment of Chamaerops humilis L. Fibers: Effect of NaOH Concentration on Composition and Structure. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering, 2026, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.58692/jotcsb.1803337
AMA
1.Sami H, Oulidi O, Karaoui M, et al. Alkaline Pretreatment of Chamaerops humilis L. Fibers: Effect of NaOH Concentration on Composition and Structure. JOTCSB. 2026;2026:1-14. doi:10.58692/jotcsb.1803337
Chicago
Sami, Hayat, Oumayma Oulidi, Mostapha Karaoui, et al. 2026. “Alkaline Pretreatment of Chamaerops Humilis L. Fibers: Effect of NaOH Concentration on Composition and Structure”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering 2026 (May): 1-14. https://doi.org/10.58692/jotcsb.1803337.
EndNote
Sami H, Oulidi O, Karaoui M, Elaaraj I, Nakkabi A, Alami M, El Moualij N (May 1, 2026) Alkaline Pretreatment of Chamaerops humilis L. Fibers: Effect of NaOH Concentration on Composition and Structure. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering 2026 1–14.
IEEE
[1]H. Sami et al., “Alkaline Pretreatment of Chamaerops humilis L. Fibers: Effect of NaOH Concentration on Composition and Structure”, JOTCSB, vol. 2026, pp. 1–14, May 2026, doi: 10.58692/jotcsb.1803337.
ISNAD
Sami, Hayat - Oulidi, Oumayma - Karaoui, Mostapha - Elaaraj, Ibtissam - Nakkabi, Asmae - Alami, Mohammed - El Moualij, Noureddine. “Alkaline Pretreatment of Chamaerops Humilis L. Fibers: Effect of NaOH Concentration on Composition and Structure”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering 2026 (May 1, 2026): 1-14. https://doi.org/10.58692/jotcsb.1803337.
JAMA
1.Sami H, Oulidi O, Karaoui M, Elaaraj I, Nakkabi A, Alami M, El Moualij N. Alkaline Pretreatment of Chamaerops humilis L. Fibers: Effect of NaOH Concentration on Composition and Structure. JOTCSB. 2026;2026:1–14.
MLA
Sami, Hayat, et al. “Alkaline Pretreatment of Chamaerops Humilis L. Fibers: Effect of NaOH Concentration on Composition and Structure”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering, vol. 2026, May 2026, pp. 1-14, doi:10.58692/jotcsb.1803337.
Vancouver
1.Hayat Sami, Oumayma Oulidi, Mostapha Karaoui, Ibtissam Elaaraj, Asmae Nakkabi, Mohammed Alami, Noureddine El Moualij. Alkaline Pretreatment of Chamaerops humilis L. Fibers: Effect of NaOH Concentration on Composition and Structure. JOTCSB. 2026 May 1;2026:1-14. doi:10.58692/jotcsb.1803337

Creative Commons Lisansı
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J. Turk. Chem. Soc., Sect. B: Chem. Eng. (JOTCSB)