**2. Materials and methods**

#### **2.1. Materials**

Sugarcane bagasse was obtained from a local sugar mill and kindly provided by Sucromiles S.A. Hexadecyltrimethoxysilane and sodium hydroxide were analytical-grade reagents from Aldrich (Wisconsin, USA). Absolute ethanol was a product from Merck (PA, USA). Polypropylene homopolymer 01H41 was obtained from Essentia (Cartagena, Colombia).
