Alginate is a natural polymer extracted from brown seaweeds. Over the last two decades, alginate fibers have become well established in the wound management industry where their ion exchange and gel forming abilities are particularly useful in the treatment for exuding wounds. Alginate fibers are commonly made by extruding sodium alginate solution into a calcium chloride bath, producing calcium alginate fibers. To improve the gelling ability and the absorption capacity of calcium alginate fibers, this study used hydrochloric acid to convert calcium alginate fibers into alginic acid fibers, which was further converted into sodium alginate fibers by treating the fibers with sodium hydroxide in organic solvent. Results showed that alginic acid and sodium alginate fibers and fabrics can be readily made by treating the calcium alginate fibers and fabrics, respectively, with hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. Improved gel blocking properties and absorption capacities were obtained with the sodium alginate fibers.
Chitosan fibers were treated with chloroacetic acid to prepare partially substituted carboxymethyl chitosan fibers. Fibers with different levels of carboxymethylation were prepared by controlling the ratio between the fiber and the amount of chloroacetic acid. The absorption properties of the modified fibers for Cu(II) ions were studied at different concentrations, temperature, time, and pH. Results showed that the carboxymethylated chitosan fibers were more effective than the original chitosan fibers in removing Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions.
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