Research

51012 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Situ Hybridization of Pulp Fibers Using Mg-Al Layered Double Hydroxides

by Carl-Erik Lange, Mika Lastusaari, Mehedi Reza, Seyed Kourosh Latifi, Pasi Kallio and Pedro Fardim

Fibers 2015, 3(2), 103-133; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib3020103 - 29 Apr 2015

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 7192

Abstract

Inorganic Mg2+ and Al3+ containing layered double hydroxide (LDH) particles were synthesised in situ from aqueous solution onto chemical pulp fibers of pine (Pinus sylvestris). High super saturated (hss) solution with sodium carbonate produced LDH particles with an average diameter of 100–200 nm. [...] Read more.

Inorganic Mg2+ and Al3+ containing layered double hydroxide (LDH) particles were synthesised in situ from aqueous solution onto chemical pulp fibers of pine (Pinus sylvestris). High super saturated (hss) solution with sodium carbonate produced LDH particles with an average diameter of 100–200 nm. Nano-size (70 nm) LDH particles were found from fibers external surface and, to a lesser degree, from the S2 cell wall after synthesis via low super saturated (lss) route. The synthesis via slow urea hydrolysis (Uhyd) yielded micron and clay sized LDH (2–5 μm) and enabled efficient fiber densification via mineralization of S2 fiber wall layer as indicated by TEM and compliance analysis. The Uhyd method decreased fiber compliance up to 50%. Reduction in the polymerisation degree of cellulose was observed with capillary viscometry. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the hybridization with LDH reduced the exothermic heat, indicating, that this material can be incorporated in flame retardant applications. Fiber charge was assessed by Fibers 2015, 3 104 adsorption expermients with methylene blue (MB) and metanil yellow (MY). Synthesis via lss route retained most of the fibres original charge and provided the highest capacity (10 μmol/g) for anionic MY, indicating cationic character of hybrid fibers. Our results suggested that mineralized fibers can be potentially used in advanced applications such as biocomposites and adsorbent materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellulose Fibers)

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1356 KiB

Open AccessArticle

FT-IR Examination of the Development of Secondary Cell Wall in Cotton Fibers

by Michael Santiago Cintrón and Doug J. Hinchliffe

Fibers 2015, 3(1), 30-40; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib3010030 - 29 Jan 2015

Cited by 76 | Viewed by 10803

Abstract

The secondary cell wall development of cotton fibers harvested at 18, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 and 40 days after flowering was examined using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform-infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy. Spectra of deuterated cotton fibers did not demonstrate significant changes in [...] Read more.

The secondary cell wall development of cotton fibers harvested at 18, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 and 40 days after flowering was examined using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform-infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy. Spectra of deuterated cotton fibers did not demonstrate significant changes in their O–H stretching band shapes or positions during development. Only a progressive increase in O–H band intensity was observed. Results indicate that the highly crystalline cellulose component produced during secondary cell wall formation maintains the hydrogen bonding network observed for the primary cell wall. Other general changes were observed for the regular ATR spectra. A progressive intensity increase for bands assigned to cellulose I_β was observed during fiber development, including a marked intensity increase for vibrations at 1002 and 985 cm⁻¹. In contrast, C–O vibrational bands from dominant conformations observed at 1104, 1052, 1028 cm⁻¹ undergo a modest intensity increase during secondary cell wall development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellulose Fibers)

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1045 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrospun Zeolite/Cellulose Acetate Fibers for Ion Exchange of Pb²⁺

by Daniel N. Tran, Anne M. Marti and Kenneth J. Balkus, Jr.

Fibers 2014, 2(4), 308-317; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib2040308 - 05 Dec 2014

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 11387

Abstract

The ion exchange capability of electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) fibers containing zeolite A nanoparticles is reported. Solid and porous CA fibers were used to make a zeolite-embedded filter paper, which was then used to ion exchange Na⁺ with Cu²⁺ and Pb [...] Read more.

The ion exchange capability of electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) fibers containing zeolite A nanoparticles is reported. Solid and porous CA fibers were used to make a zeolite-embedded filter paper, which was then used to ion exchange Na⁺ with Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The composite Linde Type A (LTA) zeolite CA fibers exchanged 0.39 mmol/g more Pb²⁺ than LTA nanoparticles in the solid CA fibers. These fibers could provide a simple and effective method for heavy metal ion removal in water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellulose Fibers)

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501 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Smart Cellulose Fibers Coated with Carbon Nanotube Networks

by Haisong Qi, Jianwen Liu and Edith Mäder

Fibers 2014, 2(4), 295-307; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib2040295 - 13 Nov 2014

Cited by 64 | Viewed by 11110

Abstract

Smart multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-coated cellulose fibers with a unique sensing ability were manufactured by a simple dip coating process. The formation of electrically-conducting MWCNT networks on cellulose mono- and multi-filament fiber surfaces was confirmed by electrical resistance measurements and visualized by scanning [...] Read more.

Smart multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-coated cellulose fibers with a unique sensing ability were manufactured by a simple dip coating process. The formation of electrically-conducting MWCNT networks on cellulose mono- and multi-filament fiber surfaces was confirmed by electrical resistance measurements and visualized by scanning electron microscopy. The interaction between MWCNT networks and cellulose fiber was investigated by Raman spectroscopy. The piezoresistivity of these fibers for strain sensing was investigated. The MWCNT-coated cellulose fibers exhibited a unique linear strain-dependent electrical resistance change up to 18% strain, with good reversibility and repeatability. In addition, the sensing behavior of these fibers to volatile molecules (including vapors of methanol, ethanol, acetone, chloroform and tetrahydrofuran) was investigated. The results revealed a rapid response, high sensitivity and good reproducibility for these chemical vapors. Besides, they showed good selectivity to different vapors. It is suggested that the intrinsic physical and chemical features of cellulose fiber, well-formed MWCNT networks and favorable MWCNT-cellulose interaction caused the unique and excellent sensing ability of the MWCNT-coated cellulose fibers, which have the potential to be used as smart materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellulose Fibers)

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4006 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Developing Cotton Fibers by Confocal Raman Microscopy

by Luis Cabrales, Noureddine Abidi and Felicia Manciu

Fibers 2014, 2(4), 285-294; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib2040285 - 27 Oct 2014

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 8998

Abstract

Cellulose deposition in developing cotton fibers has been studied previously with analytical techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Recent technological developments in instrumentation have made Raman microscopy emerge as an extraordinary analytical tool [...] Read more.

Cellulose deposition in developing cotton fibers has been studied previously with analytical techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Recent technological developments in instrumentation have made Raman microscopy emerge as an extraordinary analytical tool in biological and plant research. The advantage of using confocal Raman microscopy (CRM) resides in the lateral spatial resolution and in the fact that Raman spectroscopy provides not only chemical composition information, but also structural information. Cross-sections of cotton fibers harvested at different developmental stages were studied with CRM. The Raman bands assigned to cellulose were analyzed. The results of this study indicate that CRM can be used as a tool to study cellulose deposition in cotton fibers and could provide useful information on cellulose deposition during cotton fiber development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellulose Fibers)

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554 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preliminary Examinations for the Identification of U.S. Domestic and International Cotton Fibers by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

by Chanel Fortier and James Rodgers

Fibers 2014, 2(4), 264-274; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib2040264 - 29 Sep 2014

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 7922

Abstract

Cotton is and has been a large cash crop in the United States and abroad for many years. Part of the widespread interest and utility of this product is due to its attractive chemical and physical properties for use in textiles. The textile [...] Read more.

Cotton is and has been a large cash crop in the United States and abroad for many years. Part of the widespread interest and utility of this product is due to its attractive chemical and physical properties for use in textiles. The textile industry could benefit from the presentation of a quick, reliable method to classify U.S. from foreign cottons so that the appropriate tariffs can be levied for non-American cottons. In addition, there is some interest in avoiding cotton identity theft. Thus, an accurate and precise instrumental method would be of interest to correctly identify the country of origin of cotton. This study provides an analytical method to identify domestic and foreign cotton fibers using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy coupled with principal component analysis (PCA). Samples from American cottons were evaluated along with a representative amount of international samples. The results provide a proof of concept that indicates that PCA analysis can be used to separate the respective domestic and foreign cotton groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellulose Fibers)

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8217 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Impregnated Inorganic Nanoparticles on the Properties of the Kenaf Bast Fibers

by Kaiwen Liang, Sheldon Q. Shi and Ge Wang

Fibers 2014, 2(3), 242-254; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib2030242 - 22 Aug 2014

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 9210

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the properties of the chemically retted kenaf bast fiber impregnated with the inorganic nanoparticles. High quality kenaf bast fibers were obtained from a chemical retting process. An in situ inorganic nanoparticle impregnation (INI) process was [...] Read more.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the properties of the chemically retted kenaf bast fiber impregnated with the inorganic nanoparticles. High quality kenaf bast fibers were obtained from a chemical retting process. An in situ inorganic nanoparticle impregnation (INI) process was used to introduce the CaCO₃ nanoparticles into the retted kenaf bast fibers. It was found that some of the lignin-based components in the retted fibers were further removed during the INI treatment. From the characterization results, the inorganic nanoparticles CaCO₃, with different shapes and sizes, appeared at the surface of the impregnated fiber after treatment. Heterogeneous CaCO₃ nanoparticle distribution was observed on the INI treated fibers. The CaCO₃ contents were different at different locations along the impregnated fiber. The presence of CaCO₃ inorganic nanoparticles at the fiber surface increased the root mean square (RMS) surface roughness by 5.8% and decreased the hydrophilic nature of the retted fibers, evidenced by a 59.4% decrease in adhesion force between the fiber and hydrophilic AFM tip. In addition, the impregnation of CaCO₃ dramatically increased the Young’s modulus of the fiber by 344%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellulose Fibers)

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322 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preliminary Study of Linear Density, Tenacity, and Crystallinity of Cotton Fibers

by Yongliang Liu, Devron Thibodeaux and James Rodgers

Fibers 2014, 2(3), 211-220; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib2030211 - 14 Jul 2014

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 8322

Abstract

An investigation of the relationships among fiber linear density, tenacity, and structure is important to help cotton breeders modify varieties for enhanced fiber end-use qualities. This study employed the Stelometer instrument, which is the traditional fiber tenacity reference method and might still be [...] Read more.

An investigation of the relationships among fiber linear density, tenacity, and structure is important to help cotton breeders modify varieties for enhanced fiber end-use qualities. This study employed the Stelometer instrument, which is the traditional fiber tenacity reference method and might still be an option as a rapid screening tool because of its low cost and portable attributes. In addition to flat bundle break force and weight variables from a routine Stelometer test, the number of fibers in the bundle were counted manually and the fiber crystallinity (CI_IR) was characterized by the previously proposed attenuated total reflection-sampling device based Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) protocol. Based on the plots of either tenacity vs. linear density or fiber count vs. mass, the fibers were subjectively divided into fine or coarse sets, respectively. Relative to the distinctive increase in fiber tenacity with linear density, there was an unclear trend between the linear density and CI_IR for these fibers. Samples with similar linear density were found to increase in tenacity with fiber CI_IR. In general, Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) fineness increases with fiber linear density. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellulose Fibers)

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