Ricerc@Sapienza

This work investigates the morphology, the thermal, and
mechanical properties of technical fibers extracted from
the Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Diss) grass using a process
that combines mechanical, mild chemical, and enzymatic
steps. The structure and the thermal stability of Diss
fibers make them suitable as a reinforcing filler in polymer
composites, which was assessed by manufacturing biocomposites
with improved stiffness and a tensile strength
not degraded by Diss fibers when compared to those of a
commodity polymer and a biodegradable one, namely polypropylene
and poly(lactic acid). This work confirms that
enzyme mixtures obtained from commercially available
products of relatively low cost can represent a simple and
environmentally friendly means to extract less common
natural fibers.