Recent advances on bast fiber composites: Engineering innovations, applications and perspectives

Abstract

Plant fibers are a class of biomass resources one of most abundant materials on earth. The bast fiber, as one of the plant fibers with superior specific stiffness and strength, has received constant attention in the field of biocomposites for various industrial sectors. This study is to provide a comprehensive overview of bast fiber composites. The characteristic, chemical composition and performance of five types of most commonly available bast fibers (ramie, jute, kenaf, flax and hemp fibers), and their functionalization in biocomposites are analyzed. The engineering technologies and performance in uses, e.g. flame retardancy, adsorption, reinforcement, biodegradability green sustainability and recyclability of the bast fiber composites are assessed and compiled. The challenges and future development of bast fiber composites are also discussed. The review is expected to provide a platform database but insightful understanding for effective engineering design and broadened applications of bast fiber composites, and for further innovations of functionalized bast fiber composites.