Preparation and Characterization of Alginate/Polyvinyl Alcohol Composite Fibers Containing Copper Ions

Abstract

Alginate/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite fibers containing copper ions were prepared by wet spinning. The spinning solution and manufacturing process were researched. The composite fibers were characterized by Tensile Strength Tester, SEM and TGA. This report shows that the spinning solution is a typical kind of pseudoplastic fluid. Adding boric acid to coagulation bath and putting Cu ions into composite fibers can improve the strength. The structure of composite fibers with Cu ions is denser and there are grooves on the fiber surface. In addition, the thermal property of composite fibers is steady.