Methyl cellulose/cellulose nanocrystal nanocomposite fibers with high ductility

Methylcellulose/cellulose nanocrystal (MC/CNC) nanocomposite fibers showing high ductility and high modulus of toughness were prepared by a simple aqueous wet-spinning from corresponding nanocomposite hydrogels into ethanol coagulation bath followed by drying. The hydrogel MC aq. concentration was maintained at 1 wt-% while the CNC aq. loading was systematically varied in the range 0 – 3 wt-%. This approach resulted in MC/CNC fiber compositions from 25/75 wt-%/wt-% to 95/5 wt-%/wt-%. The optimal mechanical properties were achieved with the MC/CNC composition of 80/20 wt-%/wt-% allowing high strain (36.1 %) and modulus of toughness (48.3 MJ/m3), still keeping a high strength (190 MPa). Further, we demonstrate that the continuous spinning of MC/CNC fibers is potentially possible. The results indicate possibilities to spin MC-based highly ductile composite fibers from environmentally benign aqueous solvents.Peer reviewe

Impact toughness, viscoelastic behavior, and morphology of polypropylene-jute-viscose hybrid composites

In this investigation, we studied the impact toughness and viscoelastic behavior of polypropylene (PP)–jute composites. In this study, we used viscose fiber as an impact modifier and maleated PP as a compatibilizer. The toughness of the composites was studied with conventional Charpy and instrumental falling-weight impact tests. The composites' viscoelastic properties were studied with dynamic mechanical analysis. The results show that the incorporation of viscose fibers improved the impact strength and toughness to 134 and 65% compared to those of the PP–jute composites. The tan δ peak amplitude also increased with the addition of the impact modifier and indicated a greater degree of molecular mobility. The thermal stability of the composites was evaluated with thermogravimetric analysis. The addition of 2 wt % maleated polypropylene (MAPP) to the impact-modified composite improved the impact strength and toughness to 144 and 93%, respectively. The fiber–matrix morphology of the fracture surface and the Fourier transform infrared spectra were also studied to ascertain the existence of the type of interfacial bonds. Microstructural analysis showed the retention of viscose fibers in the composites compared to the more separated jute fibers</p

Upcycling of waste paper and cardboard to textiles

In continuation of previously reported results, the ionic liquid 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene-1-ium acetate was also found to be a powerful non-derivatizing solvent for cellulosic waste such as paper and cardboard. The ionic liquid could dissolve all the present bio-polymers (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) in high concentrations, resulting in solutions with visco-elastic properties that were suitable for dry-jet wet fiber spinning. The cellulosic raw materials were refined gradually to identify the influence of residual components on the spinnability of the respective solution. Polymer degradation and losses in the spinning process could be avoided nearly entirely. With the exception of virtually unrefined cardboard, all the samples showed excellent spinnability, resulting in fibers with high tensile strength. Prototype textiles were produced to validate the quality of the fibers and demonstrate the possibility of using residual lignin in cardboard as a natural dye