Extraction and characterization of lignocellulosic fibers from Luffa cylindrica fruit

The need for recyclable, renewable materials has resulted in an increased use of natural fibers for reinforcing polymers to suit a wide variety of applications. This study is mainly focused on the extraction and characterization of the lignocellulosic fibers derived from the ripened, dried Luffa cylindrica L. fruit. Characterization studies such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis are conducted and reported. Composite samples prepared using unsaturated polyester resin show an increasing impact strength on fiber loading. Fractured surface of the composites are examined using scanning electron microscope. Results show the feasibility of fibers for reinforcement in polymers.     

Dyeing of PA 6.6 fibers

Dyeing fibers at low temperatures has many advantages such as savings in energy and avoiding alterations to the physical properties of the fibers being dyed or other fibers also present in blends. The problem of low temperature dyeing in synthetic fibers is that it difficults the dye diffusion into the fiber. In the case of polyamide 6.6 microfibers, by using benzyl alcohol as an auxiliary dyeing, it was shown that good diffusion was obtained for the dye exhaustion with metal complex dyes at temperatures more than 30°C below the normal dyeing temperature for the dye exhaustion with metal complex dyes. Using thermal analysis methods these results were shown to be caused by the lowering of the T _g of the fiber when in the presence of benzyl alcohol. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal and mechanical characteristics of polyurethane/curaua fiber composites

Polyurethane composites reinforced with curaua fiber at 5, 10 and 20% mass/mass proportions were prepared by using the conventional melt-mixing method. The influence of curaua fibers on the thermal behavior and polymer cohesiveness in polyurethane matrix was evaluated by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). This specific interaction between the fibers and the hard segment domain was influenced by the behavior of the storage modulus E′ and the loss modulus E″ curves. The polyurethane PU80 is much stiffer and resistant than the other composites at low temperatures up to 70°C. All samples were thermoplastic and presented a rubbery plateau over a wide temperature range above the glass transition temperature and a thermoplastic flow around 170°C.     

Loading of ZIF-67 on silk with sustained release of iodine as biocompatible antibacterial fibers

Antibacterial fibers have great potential in numerous applications, including bandages, surgical robes, and surgical sutures, and play a significant role in our everyday lives. Here, zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 was synthesized using a green method on silk fibers through a layer-by-layer process under ultrasonic irradiation (ZIF-67@silk [U]) and without ultrasonic irradiation (ZIF-67@silk [B]). Then, iodine was loaded on ZIF-67@silk samples and were assessed as antibacterial fibers with iodine release. Four samples of ZIF-67@silk and I₂@ZIF-67@silk were characterized by FT-IR, PXRD, FE-SEM, TGA, BET, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Finally, antibacterial activity of ZIF-67@silk (B and U) and I₂@ZIF-67@silk (B and U) on Staphylococcus aureus as Gram-positive bacteria and Escherichia coli as Gram-negative bacteria was investigated. In addition to ZIF-67@silk samples, iodine-loaded samples showed excellent antimicrobial facility.     

Effect of Chemical Treatment and Fiber Loading on Mechanical Properties of Borassus (Toddy Palm) Fiber/Epoxy Composites

The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the mechanical properties of untreated and chemically modified Borassus fiber–reinforced epoxy composites. Composites were prepared by the hand lay-up process by reinforcing Borassus fibers with epoxy matrix. To improve the fiber-matrix adhesion properties, alkali (NaOH) and alkali combined with silane (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane) treatment of the fiber surface was carried out. Examinations through Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were conducted to investigate the structural and physical properties of the Borassus fibers. Tensile properties such as modulus and strength of the composites made with chemically modified and untreated Borassus fibers were studied using a universal testing machine. Based on the experimental results, it was found that the tensile properties of the Borassus-reinforced epoxy composites were significantly improved as compared with the neat epoxy. It was also found that the fiber treated with a combination of alkali and silane exhibited superior mechanical properties to alkali-treated and untreated fiber composites. The nature of the fiber/matrix interface was examined through SEM of cryo-fractured samples. Chemical resistance of composites was also found to be improved with chemically modified fiber composites.     

Extrusion,fiber formation,and characterization of thermotropic copolyesters

The flow behavior and the effect of the spinning conditions on the fiber properties and structure of poly(ethylene terephthalate) modified with 60 mol% p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PET/60PHB) were investigated. PET and its copolyesters with 28 and 80 mol% PHB were used as control samples. The melt of PET/60PHB at temperatures above 265°C exhibited extremely low viscosity and low flow activation energy. High birefringence, indicating the presence of a mesophase, was observed between 265 and 300°C on a hot-stage polarizing light microscope. The maximum tensile strength and initial modulus, 438 MPa and 37 GPa, respectively, were obtained at 275°C for a 0.69 IV polymer. The fiber strength and modulus were significantly lowered when extrusion was conducted at temperatures below 265°C. The fiber properties could also be improved when a high extrusion rate and/or a high draw down ratio was used. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the fibers spun at temperatures above 265°C had a well-developed, highly oriented fibrillar structure. The fibers spun at lower temperatures, however, were poorly oriented and nonfibrillar in character. The high orientation and superior mechanical performance achieved at high temperatures were attributed to the presence of the nematic mesophase in the polymer melt.     

Melt spinning of syndiotactic 1, 2-polybutadiene for preparation of carbon fibers

The thermal crosslinking and loss of vinyl unsaturation of syndiotactic 1, 2-polybutadiene(_s-PB) at 180–230°C were prevented by stabilizers with 3, 5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyloxy group. The _s-PB samples (mp 140–198°C and MW 20,000–70,000) that contained the stabilizers could be melt-spun at a temperature below 220°C into 1-denier fibers to be used for the preparation of carbon fibers. The _s-PB fibers with higher mp and/or higher MW could be obtained by the addition of a high boiling solvent such as tetralin. The relationship between the molecular structures of _s-PB and the properties of resulting _s-PB fibers, including the degree of molecular orientation measured by birefringence and x-ray diffraction, is presented. Spun fibers showed small swellings here and there along the fiber axis, which would have resulted from the inhomogeneity of the melt of _s-PB spun at a temperature slightly above the melting point. The gelation was unlikely to occur.     

Preparation of molecularly imprinted polymeric fibers using a single bifunctional monomer for the solid‐phase microextraction of parabens from environmental solid samples

In this study, molecularly imprinted polymer fibers for solid‐phase microextraction have been prepared with a single bifunctional monomer, N,O‐bismethacryloyl ethanolamine using the so‐called “one monomer molecularly imprinted polymers” method, replacing the conventional combination of functional monomer and cross‐linker to form high fidelity binding sites. For comparison, imprinted fibers were prepared following the conventional approach based on ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross‐linker and methacrylic acid as monomer. The recognition performance of the new fibers was evaluated in the solid‐phase microextraction of parabens, and from this study it was concluded that they provided superior performance over conventionally formulated fibers. Ultimately, real‐world environmental testing on spiked solid samples was successful by the molecularly imprinted solid‐phase microextraction of samples, and the relative recoveries obtained at enrichment levels of 10 ng/g of parabens were within 78–109% for soil and 83–109% for sediments with a relative standard deviation <15% (n = 3).     

Modified Pencil Lead as a New Fiber for Solid-Phase Microextraction

The efficiency of modified pencil lead as a new fiber for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been investigated. Modified pencil lead fibers have been prepared by use of several activation processes, for example heating at 600 °C in the stream of inert gas (He), heating under reflux with concentrated H₂SO₄ , fusing with NaOH at 400 °C, and activation at 600 °C with water vapor for 60 min. The fibers were used for extraction of trace amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from aqueous samples. Monitoring of extracted compounds and quantitative analysis of model samples were performed by capillary GC–FID. The results obtained prove the suitability of the proposed fibers for sampling organic compounds from water. Effects on extraction efficiency of factors such as temperature, salting out, stirring speed, and exposure time were studied. Under optimum conditions and using one fiber for extraction of naphthalene as a typical compound, a relative standard deviation of 5.3% (n=7) was achieved. The calibration plot was linear in the range 50–10,000 pg mL^–1 (r=0.9997) and the detection limit was 25 pg mL^–1 (S/N=3). This fiber is very stable at high temperature, inexpensive, and can be prepared simply.     

Morphological and mechanical properties of nascent polyethylene fibers produced via ethylene extrusion polymerization with a metallocene catalyst supported on MCM‐41 particles

Polyethylene (PE) fibers were prepared by ethylene extrusion polymerization with an MCM‐41‐supported titanocene catalyst. The morphological and mechanical properties of these nascent PE fibers were investigated. Three levels of fibrous morphologies were identified in the fiber samples through an extensive scanning electron microscopy study. Extended‐chain PE nanofibrils with diameters of about 60 nm were the major morphological units present in the fiber structure. The nanofibrils were parallel‐packed into individual microfibers with diameters of about 1–30 μm. The microfibers were further aggregated irregularly into fiber aggregates and bundles. In comparison with commercial PE fibers and data reported in the literature, the individual microfibers produced in situ via ethylene extrusion polymerization without posttreatment exhibited a high tensile strength (0.3–1.0 GPa), a low tensile modulus (3.0–7.0 GPa), and a high elongation at break (8.5–20%) at 35 °C. The defects in the alignment of the nanofibrils were believed to be the major reason for the low modulus values. It was also found that a slight tensile drawing could increase the microfiber strength and modulus. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2433–2443, 2003     

Cornstarch/Poly(vinyl alcohol) Biocomposite Blend Films: Mechanical Properties,Thermal Behavior,Fire Retardancy,and Antibacterial Activity

In the present study, biocomposite films of starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) (St/PVA) reinforced with delignified Grewia optiva fiber and methyl methacrylate (MMA) grafted fibers were prepared using citric acid as a plasticizer and glutaraldehyde as the cross-linker. The biocomposite films were subjected to evaluation of mechanical properties, biodegradability, and antibacterial properties. The biocomposite films were characterized by using Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA/DTG). SEM showed good adhesion between St/PVA blend matrix and fibers. The antimicrobial activity of biocomposite films against pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was also explored. The results confirmed that the biocomposite films may be used for food packaging.     

Determination of zinc(II) in biological samples by anodic stripping voltammetry

The use ofN-benzyltrimethylammonium methoxide as a digesting solvent, for the determination of zinc(II) in biological samples using anodic-stripping voltammetry is reported. It was found possible to determine zinc directly in biological samples containing such metals as copper(II), lead(II), iron(III), arsenic(III) and selenium(IV). The results for zinc in bovine liver and oyster tissue are reported.     

Fiber spinning from the nematic melt. V. Flow instabilities in the 75:25 copolyester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid

We have investigated the rheological properties of the Celanese copolyester with the composition 75 mol% p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 25 mol% 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid (designated as 75HBA/25HNA). Three different samples having inherent viscosities 3.0, 6.0, and 9.2 dL/g were studied. A flow instability is observed at low shear stress which produces an irregularity in the fiber diameter. The surface irregularity becomes less pronounced above a minimum shear stress, indicating that the flow instability originates in the capillary. For these nematic melts, the minimum shear stress marking the onset of more regular flow is found to decrease with increasing temperature and with decreasing inherent viscosity of the copolyester. The die swell ratio of extrudates decreases with increasing shear stress. Fibers were spun from the samples having η_inh = 9.2 and 3.0 dL/g. The initial modulus and tenacity to break for 75HBA/25HNA fibers spun at sufficiently high shear stress to produce smooth filaments are significantly lower than the values we previously reported for fibers of the 58HBA/42HNA copolyester. Moreover, the optimum properties are obtained at relatively low spin-draw ratios. The 75HBA/25HNA polyester also exhibits a yield stress which decreases with increasing temperature. This observation indicates the presence of crystallities at the test temperatures. We believe that the higher content of HBA in the present copolymer gives rise to crystallization of HBA blocks in the thread line and that defects are introduced at higher spin-draw ratios which cause the mechanical properties to become worse.     

Characterization of new cellulosic fiber from the stem of Sida rhombifolia

Natural fibers play a vital role in the field of composites mainly due to their environmental friendliness, the nature of their disposal, and low energy requirement for processing. Recently, research ideas have focused on exploration of promising natural fibers with superior mechanical properties. Sida rhombifolia is one such perennial shrub from which high stiffness natural fibers can be extracted. The physico-chemical properties of Sida rhombifolia fibers (SRFs), crystallinity index (56.6%), higher cellulose (75.09 wt.%) content, and lower density (1320.7 kg/m³) were revealed and compared to those properties of other natural fibers.     

Experimental determining the mechanical and stiffness properties of natural rubber FRT triangle elastic joint composite reinforcement by glass fibers and micro/nano particles

Rubber is a type of material widely used in industries for waterproofing, storing and transporting fluids, energy shock dampers, thermal insulation, and corrosion protection. Natural Rubber (NR) polymer is a material that is extensively used in the automotive industries because of its unique properties such as high strength, low weight, and excellent corrosion resistance. In this study, the mechanical properties of NR based car bumpers were investigated by adding reinforcing particles to it. The used reinforcing materials include SiC, MgO, Fe₂O₃ particles and Glass fibers, which were added to the base material at different sizes and weight percentages including 4% and 8%. Composite samples were made by mixing NR with reinforcement using special rollers and then vulcanized in the furnace at a specific temperature, to achieve standard torque, for each individual sample. To better characterize produced samples and recognizing of elements and their bonds, FT-IR, TGA, and XRD analysis were done. All specimens were subjected to hardness and tensile tests; their axial and radial stiffness, as well as their component durability tests, were investigated and compared with the base material. The maximum results were obtained from the mechanical property tests belonged to the reinforced specimen with 8%w.t. Glass fibers, that the ultimate tensile strength, hardness, and durability were 57%, 32%, and 33% higher than that of the non-reinforced NR sample, respectively. The SEM and SEM-MAP images of the fracture cross-section showed a crack growth inhibition effect in the samples by adding glass fibers.     

Forensic analysis of anthraquinone,azo, and metal complex acid dyes from nylon fibers by micro-extraction and capillary electrophoresis

The extraction and separation of dyes present on textile fibers offers the possibility of enhanced discrimination between forensic trace fiber evidence. An automated liquid sample handling workstation was programmed to deliver varying solvent combinations to acid-dyed nylon samples, and the resulting extracts were analyzed by an ultraviolet/visible microplate reader to evaluate extraction efficiencies at different experimental conditions. Combinatorial experiments using three-component mixture designs varied three solvents (water, pyridine, and aqueous ammonia) and were employed at different extraction temperatures for various extraction durations. The extraction efficiency as a function of the three solvents (pyridine/ammonia/water) was modeled and used to define optimum conditions for the extraction of three subclasses of acid dyes (anthraquinone, azo, and metal complex) from nylon fibers. The capillary electrophoresis analysis of acid dye extracts is demonstrated using an electrolyte solution of 15 mM ammonium acetate in acetonitrile/water (40:60, v/v) at pH 9.3. Excellent separations and discriminating diode array spectra are obtained even for dyes of similar color. Figure Capillary electropherogram of three acid dyes extracted from nylon 6,6 thread     

High‐strength electrically conductive fibers: Functionalization of polyamide,aramid, and polyester fibers with PEDOT polymer

In this work, high‐performance fibers such as aramid (Twaron), polyamide (PA6), polyester (PET), and hybrid Twaron/PA6 fibers were transformed into electroactive fibers by coating them with conjugated polymer, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) through vapor phase polymerization (VPP) method. The VPP is considered as an efficient technique for depositing CPs on different substrates regardless of their lower solubility in various solvents. In this paper, PEDOT‐coated high‐performance fibers were prepared under already optimized reaction conditions, and then a comparison between electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of different fibers, before and after coating, was made. The obtained coated fibers were characterized through scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), 2‐probe electrical resistance measurement method, and tensile testing. It was revealed that at particular reaction conditions, all high performance textile substrates were successfully converted into electroactive fibers. The voltage‐current (V‐I) characteristics showed that PEDOT‐coated polyester fibers exhibited highest conductivity value among all other substrate fibers. The active PEDOT layers on high performance fibers could behave as an antistatic coating to minimize the risks associated with static charges at work places. Also, the obtained fibers have potential to be used as smart materials for various medical, sports, and military applications.     

Typical fiber structure

Model fibers of polyethylene and nylon 6 were strained in the direction of the fiber axis and the internal deformation of the samples was studied by large-angle and small-angle x-ray diffraction. The compression of samples along the fiber axis was successfully carried out, and the results obtained by x-ray methods yielded more interesting information on the structure of the fibers than was obtained in extension. A model for the structure of the fiber was constructed on the basis of the results on compressed fibers. In this model, crystals are distributed in cylindrical symmetry around the fiber axis keeping a crystal axis tangential to circles in the section normal to the fiber axis. The characteristic crystal axis is the b axis in polyethylene and the a axis in nylon 6. The chain axis of the crystals varies in orientation with respect to the fiber axis. In compression of fibers with such a structure, the crystals rotate around the characteristic axis indicated above. In the case of nylon 6 fiber, only this simple rotation seems to occur, while additional changes occur in polyethylene fibers. However, the simple rotation predominates even in polyethylene fibers. This fiber structure is correlated with the structure of thin films of the materials. This similarity proves the existence of a common mechanism for the origin of the structure of fibers and films.     

Effect of cationization on adsorption of silver nanoparticles on cotton surfaces and its antibacterial activity

Cotton was cationized by exhaustion method using 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CHPTAC) as a cation-generating agent. Adsorption of silver nanoparticles on normal and cationized cotton was studied by exhaustion method at temperatures of 80°C and 100°C. Two exhaustion baths were used, containing nanosilver colloidal solutions stabilized by two different stabilizers and various concentrations of silver nanoparticles. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of normal and cationized samples confirmed the existence of quaternary ammonium groups on cationized cellulose fibers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that crystallinity of the modified cellulose fibers was decreased. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images revealed that the surface of the modified cotton was rougher than that of normal cotton. In addition, SEM images showed the presence of silver nanoparticles on the surface of treated fabric samples. The amount of silver particles adsorbed on the fabric samples was determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer. Antibacterial tests were performed against Escherichia coli bacteria as an indication of antibacterial effect of samples. Cationized cotton samples adsorbed more silver nanoparticles and then had greater ability to inhibit bacteria.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Nano‐sized Zinc Oxide Coating on Cellulosic Fibers: Photoactivity and Flame‐retardancy Study

We have investigated the effect of zinc oxide as a photocatalyst and durable flame‐retardant on cellulosic fibers. Zinc oxide nanocrystals were successfully synthesized and deposited onto cellulosic fibers using sol‐gel process at low temperature. The samples were characterized by means of several techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The photocatalytic activity was tested by measuring the photodegradation of methylene blue under UV‐Vis illumination. Moreover, flame‐retardancy was tested by vertical flame spread test. The optimum add‐on value for donating flame‐retardancy onto cellulosic fabric was obtained to be in the range of 15.24 to 23.20 g of the ZnO per 100 g of fabric. Thermogravimetric analysis of pure and flame‐retarded samples were accomplished and discussed. The results obtained are in agreement with Wall effect theory and Coating theory. The originality of this work on introducing photoactive flame‐retarded fibers is highly valuable for industrial implementation.