Cellulosic fibers with high aspect ratio from cornhusks via controlled swelling and alkaline penetration. (25th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ma, Zhuanzhuan; Pan, Gangwei; Xu, Helan; Huang, Yiling; Yang, Yiqi
• Is Part Of: Carbohydrate polymers. Volume 124(2015)
• Page Start: 50
• Page End: 56
• Publication Date: 2015-06-25
• Subjects: Natural cellulose fiber -- Cornhusk -- Tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) -- Organic solvent -- Aspect ratio; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 547.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.02.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8617

Abstract

Highlights: Cellulosic fibers of small diameter and large length were obtained from cornhusks. Fibers were obtained via controlled swelling and alkaline penetration. Cornhusk fibers obtained were of good tensile properties. Abstract: Cellulosic fibers with high aspect ratio have been firstly obtained from cornhusks via controlled swelling in organic solvent and simultaneous tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) post treatment within restricted depth. Cornhusks, with around 42% cellulose content, are a copious and inexpensive source for natural fibers. However, cornhusk fibers at 20 tex obtained via small-molecule alkaline extraction were too coarse for textile applications. Continuous NaOH treatment would result in fine fibers but with length of about 0.5–1.5 mm, too short for textile use. In this research, post treatment using TMAOH and under controlled swelling significantly reduced fineness of cornhusk fibers from 21.3 ± 2.88 to 5.72 ± 0.21 tex. Fiber length was reduced from 105.47 ± 10.03 to 47.2 ± 27.4 mm. The cornhusk fibers had more oriented microstructures and cellulose content increased to 84.47%. Besides, cornhusk fibers had similar tenacity, longer elongation, and lower modulus compared to cotton and linen, which endowed them with durability and flexibility.