Crosslinking of fibers via azide–alkyne click chemistry: Synthesis and characterization

Abstract

ABSTRACTThere has been growing interest in fiber modification for several industrial applications. The modifications have mostly been done to improve the fiber properties. However, the information regarding fiber modification via click chemistry is still limited. In this work, two strategies of click chemistry are evaluated for modifying commercial paper without the addition of copper catalyst. The first strategy is the direct reaction between azidated fiber and propargylated fiber, and the second strategy is to bridge azidated fiber with a self‐made alkyne terminal crosslinker. Native and chemically modified fibers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy. The effects of the two clicking strategies on the fiber were further investigated by making handsheets. In terms of mechanical properties, the bridge‐clicking strategy was found to produce better handsheets than the direct‐clicking strategy. These modified fibers would be an interesting application for the packaging and printing industries. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43576.