In this study, P. oceanica fibers were blended with recycled cotton waste to produce composite reinforcements. This approach enables the dual valorization of underutilized marine and textile waste, in accordance with the principles of the circular economy. To improve fiber performance, three chemical treatments—scouring, alkalization, and cationization—were applied. The resulting reinforcements were analyzed using morphological and mechanical tests. The results show that alkalization significantly increased tensile strength, thanks to improved fiber expansion, enhanced surface reactivity, and improved porosity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the structural changes, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed the incorporation of new functional groups, particularly in the cationized fibers. The variable analysis of composites material manufacturing process was studied using ANOVA (analysis of variance). Pretreatment, fiber percentage, and resin concentration were the model variables. The results showed that increasing the resin concentration decreased air permeability while increasing water impermeability. A raw material is more water impermeable than a chemically modified material. Conversely, a 6% cationized material is more air permeable than a raw material. The resulting materials exhibit a tunable balance between mechanical integrity and permeability, depending on the type and intensity of the treatment. These results confirm the potential of chemically modified P. oceanica-based nonwovens as viable and durable reinforcements for applications in composite manufacturing, filtration, and biodegradable packaging.
FragassaCPesicAMattielloS, et al.Exploring the potential of Posidonia oceanica fibers in eco-friendly composite materials: a review. J Mar Sci Eng2025; 13: 177. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13010177
2.
Litsi-MizanVKalantziITsapakisM, et al.Trajectories of trace element accumulation in seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) over a decade reveal the footprint of fish farming. Environ Sci Pollut Control Ser2024; 31: 28139–28152. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32910-0
3.
DuralMUCavasLPapageorgiouSK, et al.Methylene blue adsorption on activated carbon prepared from Posidonia oceanica (L.) dead leaves: kinetics and equilibrium studies. Chem Eng J2011; 168: 77–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2010.12.038
4.
VinodASanjayMSiengchinS. Recently explored natural cellulosic plant fibers 2018–2022: a potential raw material resource for lightweight composites. Ind Crop Prod2023; 192: 116099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.116099
5.
AguirCM'HenniMF. Experimental study on carboxymethylation of cellulose extracted from Posidonia oceanica. J Appl Polym Sci2006; 99: 1808–1816. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.22713
6.
KhiariRMhenniMBelgacemM, et al.Chemical composition and pulping of date palm rachis and Posidonia oceanica–A comparison with other wood and non-wood fibre sources. Bioresour Technol2010; 101: 775–780. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2009.08.079
7.
KhiariRMhenniMBelgacemM, et al.Valorisation of vegetal wastes as a source of cellulose and cellulose derivatives. J Polym Environ2011; 19: 80–89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-010-0207-y
8.
MasmoudiGDhaouadiH. A review on adsorption of textile dyes onto an unconventional biosorbent: marine waste of Posidonia oceanica. Chem Afr2024; 7: 2921–2939. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42250-024-01015-z
9.
BeheraDPattnaikSSMannaS, et al.Sustainable valorization of lignocellulosic biomass into green composites: recent advances, applications, and future perspectives. Sustain Mater Technol2025; 46: e01748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01748
10.
Ferrández-GómezBJordáJDCerdánM, et al.Valorization of Posidonia oceanica biomass: role on germination of cucumber and tomato seeds. Waste Manag2023; 171: 634–641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2023.10.010
11.
HamdaouiOIbosLMazioudA, et al.Thermophysical characterization of Posidonia oceanica marine fibers intended to be used as an insulation material in mediterranean buildings. Constr Build Mater2018; 180: 68–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.05.195
12.
ZannenSHalimiMTHassenMB, et al.Development of a multifunctional wet laid nonwoven from marine waste Posidonia oceanica technical fiber and CMC binder. Polymers2022; 14: 865. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14050865
13.
ZannenSGhaliLHalimiMT, et al.Effect of combined chemical treatment on physical, mechanical and chemical properties of posidonia fiber. Adv Mater Phys Chem2016; 6: 275–290. https://doi.org/10.4236/ampc.2016.611027
14.
MehrezIHachemHGheithR, et al.Valorization of Posidonia-Oceanica leaves for the building insulation sector. J Compos Mater2022; 56: 1973–1985. https://doi.org/10.1177/00219983221087793
15.
AltayPKoçakEDKayıhanM. From bioresource waste to biocomposite: modifying Posidonia oceanica fibers for sustainable biocomposites. ACS Sustainable Chem Eng2025; 13: 12407–12420. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c02567
16.
RangappaSMSiengchinSParameswaranpillaiJ, et al.Lignocellulosic fiber reinforced composites: progress, performance, properties, applications, and future perspectives. Polym Compos2022; 43: 645–691. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.26413
17.
NaiiriFLamisAMehdiS, et al.Performance of lightweight mortar reinforced with doum palm fiber. J Compos Mater2021; 55: 1591–1607. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021998320975196
18.
GawdzińskaKBryllKChybowskiL, et al.The impact of reinforcement material on selected mechanical properties of reinforced polyester composites. Compos. Theory Pract2018; 18: 65–70.
19.
AzmamiOSajidLMajidS, et al.Development and application of nonwovens based on palm fiber as reinforcements of unsaturated polyester. J Compos Mater2023; 57: 1035–1054. https://doi.org/10.1177/00219983221148824
20.
KhiariRBelgacemM. Potential for using multiscale Posidonia oceanica waste: current status and prospects in material science. Lignocellulosic Fibre and Biomass-Based Composite Materials. 2017; 447–471.
NiuPLiuBWeiX, et al.Study on mechanical properties and thermal stability of polypropylene/hemp fiber composites. J Reinforc Plast Compos2011; 30: 36–44. https://doi.org/10.1177/0731684410383067
23.
TarbukAGrancaricAMLeskovacM. Novel cotton cellulose by cationisation during the mercerisation process—Part 1: chemical and morphological changes. Cellulose2014; 21: 2167–2179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-014-0245-z
24.
TkaNJabliMSalehTA, et al.Amines modified fibers obtained from natural Populus tremula and their rapid biosorption of acid blue 25. J Mol Liq2018; 250: 423–432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2017.12.026
25.
ArwaEAdelGHamzaA. Characterization of natural tow fibers. In: International Congress of Applied Chemistry & Environment, Monastir, May, 2022. Springer, pp. 63–70.
26.
ArwaEHamzaAAdelG. Surface characterization of textile reinforcements. In: International Conference of Applied Research on Textile and Materials, Monastir, November, 2020. Springer, pp. 154–158.
27.
ElaissiAAlibiHGhithA, et al.The impact of chemical treatment of cellulosic fibers on surface properties and matrix/reinforcement interfacial adhesion. J Nat Fibers2022; 19: 11560–11573. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2022.2028214
28.
ElaissiAGhithAAlibiH, et al. Study of the mechanical, chemical, and surface behaviors of non-woven abrasive made from waste chemically modified tow fibers. J Ind Textil. 2022; 52. https://doi.org/10.1177/15280837221126191
29.
ElaissiAAlibiHGhithA, et al. The impact of chemical treatment of cellulosic fibers on surface properties and matrix/reinforcement interfacial adhesion. Journal of Natural Fibers. 2022; 19: 11560–11573.
CalvinoMMCavallaroGMiliotoS, et al.Composite materials based on halloysite clay nanotubes and cellulose from Posidonia oceanica sea balls: from films to geopolymers. Environ Sci Nano2024; 11: 1508–1520. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3en00879g
32.
KhadraouiMKhiariRBergaouiL, et al.Posidonia oceanica at multiscale from fibre to nanocellulose. Current status and opportunity in fibre and composites: posidonia oceanica. Springer, 2025, pp. 151–168.
33.
TarleyCRTSilveiraGdos SantosWNL, et al.Chemometric tools in electroanalytical chemistry: methods for optimization based on factorial design and response surface methodology. Microchem J2009; 92: 58–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2009.02.002
34.
TarbukAGrancaricAMLeskovacM. Novel cotton cellulose by cationization during Mercerization—part 2: the interface phenomena. Cellulose2014; 21: 2089–2099. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-014-0194-6
35.
HearleJWMortonWE. Physical properties of textile fibres. Elsevier, 2008.
36.
RoldánRMBallesterosMMMoralA. Cationization of cellulose from Posidonia oceanica. Biosaia: Revista de los másteres de Biotecnología Sanitaria y Biotecnología Ambiental, Industrial y Alimentaria. 2016; 5.
37.
ZannenSGhaliLHalimiM, et al.Effect of chemical extraction on physicochemical and mechanical properties of doum palm fibres. Adv Mater Phys Chem2014; 4: 203–216. https://doi.org/10.4236/ampc.2014.410024
38.
PozoCDíaz-VisurragaJContrerasD, et al.Characterization of temporal biodegradation of radiata pine by Gloeophyllum trabeum through principal component analysis-based two-dimensional correlation FTIR spectroscopy. J Chil Chem Soc2016; 61: 2878–2883. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0717-97072016000200006
39.
BaloyiRBSitholeBBChunilallV. Physicochemical properties of cellulose nanocrystals extracted from postconsumer Polyester/cotton-blended fabrics and their effects on PVA composite films. Polymers2024; 16: 1495. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16111495
40.
ZhouWChenMTianQ, et al.Cotton-derived cellulose film as a dendrite-inhibiting separator to stabilize the zinc metal anode of aqueous zinc ion batteries. Energy Storage Mater2022; 44: 57–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensm.2021.10.002
41.
CocozzaCParenteAZacconeC, et al.Chemical, physical and spectroscopic characterization of Posidonia oceanica (L.) del. Residues and their possible recycle. Biomass and Bioenergy2011; 35: 799–807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2010.10.033
42.
CocozzaCParenteAZacconeC, et al.Comparative management of offshore posidonia residues: composting vs. energy recovery. Waste Manag2011; 31: 78–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2010.08.016
43.
PatilAMaitiSMallickA, et al.Cationization as tool for functionalization of cotton advances in functional finishing of textiles. Springer, 2020, pp. 289–311.
44.
KabirMWangHLauK, et al.Chemical treatments on plant-based natural fibre reinforced polymer composites: an overview. Compos B Eng2012; 43: 2883–2892. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2012.04.053
JiMLiFLiJ, et al.Enhanced mechanical properties, water resistance, thermal stability, and biodegradation of the starch-sisal fibre composites with various fillers. Mater Des2021; 198: 109373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2020.109373
47.
RaghunathanVAyyappanVDhilipJDJ, et al.Influence of alkali-treated and raw Zanthoxylum acanthopodium fibers on the mechanical, water resistance, and morphological behavior of polymeric composites for lightweight applications. Biomass Convers Biorefinery2024; 14: 24345–24357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04240-7
48.
WuMCaoGXiaoZ. Polyimide-modified epoxy coatings reinforced with functional fillers for enhanced thermal stability and corrosion resistance. Adv Compos Hybrid Mater2025; 8: 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-025-01265-6
49.
ZargarnezhadHAsselinEWongD, et al.A critical review of the time-dependent performance of polymeric pipeline coatings: focus on hydration of epoxy-based coatings. Polymers2021; 13: 1517. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13091517
50.
BratasyukNALatyshevAVZuevVV. Water in epoxy coatings: basic principles of interaction with polymer matrix and the influence on coating life cycle. Coatings2023; 14: 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14010054
51.
LiSBiHWeinellCE, et al.Non‐destructive evaluations of water uptake in epoxy coating. J Appl Polym Sci2024; 141: e54777.
52.
PrinsenPGutiérrezARencoretJ, et al.Morphological characteristics and composition of lipophilic extractives and lignin in Brazilian woods from different eucalypt hybrids. Ind Crop Prod2012; 36: 572–583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2011.11.014
53.
LiJLiuZLiuM, et al.Temperature-dependent creep damage mechanism and prediction model of fiber-reinforced phenolic resin composites. Int J Mech Sci2024; 278: 109477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2024.109477
54.
WuYYangZMadiyarF, et al.Hydroxyapatite functionalized natural fiber‐reinforced composites: interfacial modification and additive manufacturing. Polym Compos2025; 46: 141–155. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.28974
