Surface modification of polyacrylonitrile staple fibers via alkaline hydrolysis for superabsorbent applications

The alkaline hydrolysis of polyacrylonitrile staple fibers was investigated for evaluation as superabsorbent materials. Studies were performed to analyze the hydrolysis of fibers and the quantification of the developed functional groups, such as carboxyl and amide groups as well as changes in the nitrile content by means of Micro‐ATR. Dyeing of the samples with methylene blue was carried out to monitor the carboxyl groups formed during the hydrolysis. A gradual decrease in the nitrile groups and built up of the carboxyl and the amide groups was observed during the hydrolysis. Microscopic investigation carried out to investigate the surface structure of hydrolyzed fibers. Hydrolysis led to surface nonhomogeneity and erosion that was dependent on the hydrolysis conditions. The fibers showed good water retention behavior, making them superabsorbent materials. The dyeing showed more intense coloration in the surface region of the modified fibers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3127–3133, 2004     

Comparative study of homogeneous solvents for the esterification crosslinking of cellulose with 1,2,3,4‐butanetetracarboxylic dianhydride and water absorbency of the reaction products

Superabsorbent hydrogels were prepared via esterification crosslinking of cellulose with 1,2,3,4‐butanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTCA) in three solvent systems: lithium chloride (LiCl)/N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NMP), LiCl/N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc), and tetrabutylammonium fluoride/dimethyl sulfoxide (TBAF/DMSO). The absorbency of the hydrogels was strongly dependent on the BTCA feed to cellulose ratio as well as the nature of the solvent system used. The rate of cellulose esterification was enhanced in TBAF/DMSO relative to the other systems, and the highest water absorbency of the hydrogels (987 g g^?1 polymer) was also achieved using this system. The hydrogels obtained in the TBAF/DMSO system had a similar degree of both crosslinking and grafting, indicating that both reactions were promoted to the same extent in this solvent, whereas crosslinking was preferentially enhanced over grafting in the LiCl/NMP and LiCl/DMAc systems. The difference in the composition of the hydrogels was attributed to the difference in the electronegativity of the fluoride and chloride anions in these solvents. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Controlled heterogeneous modification of cellulose fibers with fatty acids: Effect of reaction conditions on the extent of esterification and fiber properties

The controlled heterogeneous partial modification of cellulose fibers with fatty acids, partially preserving the fiber structure, was investigated. The effect of reaction conditions, such as reaction time, fatty acid chain length, and solvent types (swelling and non swelling), on the extent of esterification and fiber properties was evaluated by elemental analysis, IR‐ATR, X‐ray diffraction, ¹³C CPMAS NMR, contact angle measurement, thermogravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The degree of substitution (DS) increased with reaction time and with the swelling effect of the reaction medium and decreased with the fatty acids chain length. Higher the DS, higher is the decrystallization of cellulose as a result of the heterogeneous esterification reaction. The esterification with fatty acids enhanced the hydrophobic character of the fibers, but decreased their thermal stability. These properties are not strongly affected by the DS in the range investigated, viz. up to 1.4. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1093–1102, 2006     

Surface modification of textile fibers for improvement of adhesion to polymeric matrices: a review

Surface treatments have long been utilized to modify the chemical and physical structures of the surface layers of textile fibers, thus improving the properties of fibers in many applications. This review discusses the feasibility and characteristics of different methods of surface modification of polymeric textile fibers, focusing on tailoring fiber-matrix bond strength in fiber-reinforced composite materials. The influence of various treatments on the chemical and mechanical properties of different fibers is discussed. Some very recent developments in surface modification of textile fibers are highlighted.