Transitional Properties of Cotton Fibers from Cellulose I to Cellulose II Structure

Abstract

Mercerized fibers were prepared from native cotton fabrics via NaOH solution treatment at different concentrations. Mercerization led to transformation of the crystal structure of cotton fibers from cellulose I to II when the NaOH concentration was greater than 10 wt%. In addition, the cotton fibers were converted into a swollen and rough state after mercerization treatment. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and wide-angle X-ray diffraction indicated that the cellulose molecular structure changed (e.g. the degree of disorder of O-H stretching vibration increased, while the crystallinity index decreased) in the process of mercerization. Thermogravimetric analysis determined that the cellulose II fibers were more thermally stable than the cellulose I fibers. The mechanical properties of cellulose fiber-reinforced polyethylene oxide (PEO) composites showed that both original and mercerized cotton fibers enhanced the tensile strength of the PEO matrix. These properties directly contributed to the advantages of mercerized textile products (e.g. higher luster, holds more dye, more effectively absorbs perspiration, and tougher under different washing conditions).

Ultrasound-assisted mercerizing process of cotton fabric: A numerical model based on response surface methodology (RSM)

“…According to previous studies, the structural changes in cotton, e.g. increases in the crystallite length, occurs after mercerization [33]. The findings of the present study were in accordance with the literature (Table 5).…”

“…It is reported that the rate of penetration for alkali solution is controlled by its concentration, since the size of the NaOH hydrates decreases with increasing the alkali concentration. The NaOH hydrates should be small enough to penetrate into the regions of higher lateral order [8,33,39]. On the other hand, this can be related to low concentration of NaOH in the solution for disrupting the cellulose crystals and form a new physical network.…”

“…During mercerizing, the cellulose crystalline structure is changed from cellulose I to cellulose II, which can be examined by the X-ray diffraction technique. There are a wide range of detailed studies in this field [32,33].…”

Maleic anhydride grafted linear low‐density polyethylene/waste paper powder composites with superior mechanical behavior

“…The pulping and ball milling procedure adopted for the preparation of the WPP has the ability to weaken or break the intermolecular hydrogen bonding thereby making cellulose chain more amorphous and more accessible . The higher loadings of WPP over threshold increase the entanglement and crosslink which inversely somehow reduces the crystallinity followed by the increase of amorphous phase that can also contribute in composite elongation …”

“…33 The higher loadings of WPP over threshold increase the entanglement and crosslink which inversely somehow reduces the crystallinity followed by the increase of amorphous phase that can also contribute in composite elongation. 34 Reinforcing efficiency of WPP was further evaluated by comparing the experimentally determined modulus values with those predicted by Guth-Gold equation and modified form of Guth-Gold equation in relation to volume fraction of filler. [35][36][37] Guth-Gold equation [eq.…”