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Structure and Properties of Novel Fibers Spun from Cellulose in NaOH/Thiourea Aqueous Solution
Author(s) -
Ruan Dong,
Zhang Lina,
Zhou Jinping,
Jin Huiming,
Chen Hui
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
macromolecular bioscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.924
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1616-5195
pISSN - 1616-5187
DOI - 10.1002/mabi.200400120
Subject(s) - viscose , cellulose , regenerated cellulose , thiourea , cellulose fiber , aqueous solution , materials science , chemical engineering , crystallinity , fiber , lyocell , polymer chemistry , composite material , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
Abstract Summary: Cellulose was dissolved rapidly in a NaOH/thiourea aqueous solution (9.5:4.5 in wt.‐%) to prepare a transparent cellulose solution, which was employed, for the first time, to spin a new class of regenerated cellulose fibers by wet spinning. The structure and mechanical properties of the resulting cellulose fibers were characterized, and compared with those of commercially available viscose rayon, cuprammonium rayon and Lyocell fibers. The results from wide angle X‐ray diffraction and CP/MAS 13 C NMR indicated that the novel cellulose fibers have a structure typical for a family II cellulose and possessed relatively high degrees of crystallinity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy images revealed that the cross‐section of the fibers is circular, similar to natural silk. The new fibers have higher molecular weights and better mechanical properties than those of viscose rayon. This low‐cost technology is simple, different from the polluting viscose process. The dissolution and regeneration of the cellulose in the NaOH/thiourea aqueous solutions were a physical process and a sol‐gel transition rather than a chemical reaction, leading to the smoothness and luster of the fibers. This work provides a potential application in the field of functional fiber manufacturing.A bundle of fibers with a similar circular cross‐section, indicating the homogeneous and smooth surface of the fibers.