Benzoylation strategy for enhancing the light stability of kenaf fibers through lignin removal and radical scavenging

Enhancing photostability of lignocellulosic fibers is essential for their long-term use in light exposure applications. In this study, benzoylation was applied to kenaf fibers to suppress ultraviolet (UV)-induced yellowing and improve their light fastness. Structural analyses confirmed that esterification of hydroxyl groups and partial removal of lignin were successfully achieved during the benzoylation reaction. After 500 h of UV irradiation, benzoylated kenaf (BKF) showed a distinct whitening phenomenon, in contrast to the gradual yellowing of unmodified kenaf. This whitening effect was attributed to the initial photostabilization, and the discoloration was characterized by a plateau after the initial 48 h. The results confirmed that BKF effectively inhibited the formation of light-induced free radicals and mitigated subsequent surface oxidation. In the component-specific study, lignin…