Nanoparticle Modified Cellulose Fibres

Abstract

AbstractSummary: The dissolution of cellulose in N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide monohydrate exhibits a remarkable acceptance towards well ground organic or inorganic additives up to high concentrations. Particle sizes generally in the lower micrometer range have been the most common features of all additives applied up to now. With the assumption, that it would succeed to exploit the capabilities to a surface and matrix manipulation already described for combinations of synthetic fibres and polymer bulk materials for cellulose as well, then very interesting opportunities for the development of shaped cellulosic bodies would result that possess improved product characteristics. Inorganic, hydrophilic nanoclays and different organic modified nanoparticles of various manufacturers were chosen for the investigation. The effect of the different nanoparticle types on the matrix structure after the incorporation was determined by means of X‐ray wide angle scattering. Nanoadditives did not influence the structural formation of cellulose shapes significantly. Compared to a film forming process, in case of fibre spinning it was found that the nanoclays obviously underwent a preferred orientation as a result of the solvent extraction after a dry‐wet extrusion process.