Production of alumina fibre through jute fibre substrate

Alumina fibre has been produced using jute fibre as substrate material at temperatures lower than 1600 C in a reducing atmosphere. Processed jute fibre was chemically pretreated by saturation with Al₂Cl₆ · 12H₂O, coked and then pyrolysed to obtain alumina fibre. Chemical pretreatment conditions have been determined by following weight loss measurements of the jute fibre at 0.1 to 0.6 N solutions of NaOH, KOH, NH₄OH, Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃, HCl and acetic acid. The effect of heat treatment on the jute fibre and jute fibre + aluminium salt has been studied from 150 to 1600 C. Trace elements present (Fe₂O₃, SiO₂, K₂O, Na₂O, CaO, MgO, ZnO, MnO, V₂O₅, P₂O₅, CuO) on heat-treated products have been determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Optical and scanning electron micrographs of representative samples showing growth mechanism are presented. The effect of copper, nickel and platinum catalysts and fluxing agents such as K₂O and Na₂O in fibre formation has also been examined. Particle size and surface area analyses of intermediate and final products have been carried out. Changes in 2 values are plotted for various products from X-ray diffraction studies. It is conceived that the porous surface of cellulosic fibrils in the jute fibre adsorbs the AlCl₃ molecules which decompose to oxide and are gradually shaped to the fibrous form during the course of thermal treatment in a reducing atmosphere and due to the high surface area.