International Science Community Association Research Journal of Chemical Sciences 2231-606X 14 2 2024 06 18 Determination of Physiochemical and Mechanical Properties of Composite Panels Produced from Grewia Mollis Root Fiber/Polyester 19 24 EN DAZOGBO Pascal Gbétondji 1 Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Materials and Molecular Modeling / Unit of Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Engineering and Environment (LCP3M / UCIIME), Faculty of Science and Technology (FAST), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01BP 526 Cotonou, Benign and Laboratory of Water and Environmental Sciences and Techniques (LSTEE), National Water Institute (INE), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01BP 526 Cotonou, Benin NONVIHO Guevara 2 Laboratory for Study and Research in Applied Chemistry (LERCA), Ecotoxicology and Quality Study Research Unit (UREEQ), Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi (EPAC/UAC), Cotonou, Benin OSSENI Sèmiyou Ayélé 3 Applied Hydrology Laboratory (LHA), National Water Institute (INE), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01BP526 Cotonou, Benin YESSOUFOU Arouna 4 Kaba Chemistry and Applications Research Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies of Natitingou, UNSTIM, Benin ZANOU Philémon Mindétonhou 5 Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Materials and Molecular Modeling / Unit of Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Engineering and Environment (LCP3M / UCIIME), Faculty of Science and Technology (FAST), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01BP 526 Cotonou, Benign and Laboratory of Water and Environmental Sciences and Techniques (LSTEE), National Water Institute (INE), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01BP 526 Cotonou, Benin GOUNDJO Ferdinand Sèdjro Didier 6 Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Materials and Molecular Modeling / Unit of Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Engineering and Environment (LCP3M / UCIIME), Faculty of Science and Technology (FAST), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01BP 526 Cotonou, Benign CHOUTI Waris Kéwouyèmi 7 Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Materials and Molecular Modeling / Unit of Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Engineering and Environment (LCP3M / UCIIME), Faculty of Science and Technology (FAST), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01BP 526 Cotonou, Benign Zaware Sandeep 1 Synergen Bio Private Limited, Unit Nos. 101 to 104 and 309 to 311, Sai Chambers, 302, Old Mumbai - Pune Highway, Wakadewadi, Shivajinagar, Pune, Maharashtra - 411003, India Lahoti Neel 2 Synergen Bio Private Limited, Unit Nos. 101 to 104 and 309 to 311, Sai Chambers, 302, Old Mumbai - Pune Highway, Wakadewadi, Shivajinagar, Pune, Maharashtra - 411003, India Chaudhari Shubham 3 Synergen Bio Private Limited, Unit Nos. 101 to 104 and 309 to 311, Sai Chambers, 302, Old Mumbai - Pune Highway, Wakadewadi, Shivajinagar, Pune, Maharashtra - 411003, India Usman Mohammed A. 1 Department of Integrated Science, Umar Suleiman College of Education, P.M.B 02, Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria Aliyu Buba A. 2 Department of Chemistry, Modibbo Adama University, P.M.B 2076, Yola Adamawa State, Nigeria Kalu Kalu M. 3 Department of Chemistry, Gombe state University, P.M.B 127, Tudun Wada, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria Mam Ago Maina 4 Department of Horticulture Technology, Federal College of Forest Resources Management, P.M.B 1189, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria Nkafamiya Iliya Ibrahim 5 Department of Chemistry, Modibbo Adama University, P.M.B 2076, Yola Adamawa State, Nigeria Chinedu Emmanuel K. 6 Department of Chemistry, Modibbo Adama University, P.M.B 2076, Yola Adamawa State, Nigeria Yusuf Salisu 7 Department of Integrated Science, Umar Suleiman College of Education, P.M.B 02, Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria Yunana Reuben Sunday 8 Department of Chemistry, Modibbo Adama University, P.M.B 2076, Yola Adamawa State, Nigeria > Research Paper 2024 2 1 2024 06 18 These days, a lot of researchers are working in the field of polymer composites containing natural fibers to develop either fully or partially biodegradable green composite due to increasing concerns about the environment. This study determined the physiochemical and mechanical properties of composite panels produced from Grewia mollis (GM) root fibre/polyester. Experimental research design was adopted for the study. The Grewia mollis root fibre was extracted and chemically processed by retting, scouring, bleaching, and mercerizing respectively. The traditional hand lay-up method was applied in producing the composite panels and their physiochemical and mechanical properties were determined according to ASTM standards. Descriptive statistics of percentage (%) scatter plot and bar charts were used to analyze and present the data. The result revealed that oil absorption increases while water absorption decreases as the concentration of NaOH increases and static with time. This implies that the untreated fibre-reinforced composites absorb more water than oil whereas the treated fibre-reinforced composites absorb more oil than water. The mechanical properties of the treated fibre-reinforced composites were improved significantly as the concentrations of NaOH increases up to a threshold point of 15% before experiencing a decrease from threshold points of 20-25%. This shows that composites treated with 5–15% NaOH gave better improvements than 20–25% and the maximum improvements were found for 15% NaOH. Therefore, on the basis of % NaOH, threshold point of 15% possessed the ideal combination of mechanical qualities. The outcome shown that the treated fiber-reinforced composites might be used as an alternative to other naturally fiber-based products since they offered better physiochemical and mechanical qualities than the untreated fiber-reinforced composites. According to the study, appropriately adjusting these processing parameters may result in a more effective or practical composite panel solution for our home and commercial uses, including the furniture, automobile, and construction industries, among others. 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