Research on Structure and Properties of Lotus Fibers

Abstract

In order to understand the structure and properties of lotus fibers to provide theoretical basis for developing lotus fiber fabric, the research on chemical components, morphological structure, aggregation structure and mechanical properties of nature lotus fiber is implemented by chemical quantitative analysis, scanning electron microscope, infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction analysis and so on. The result is shown. First, lotus fiber is consist of cellulose, hemicellulose, fat waxy, lignin, ash, pectin, hydrotrope, amino acids and so on, where cellulose is the main ingredient. The lotus fiber, showing ribbon spiral revolving structure vertically, has clearly imperceptible cross striation, and is bundle fiber composed of many monofils. Then, the cross-sectional of lotus monofil is circular or similar to circular. Lotus fiber is typical cellulose I structure with 48% crystallinity and 60% orientation. The density, fineness and moisture regain of lotus fiber is respectively 1.1848 g/cm3, 1.55 dtex, 12.32%. Lotus fiber is high strength and low stretch fiber with initial modulus 146.81 cN/dtex, breaking strength 3.44 cN/dtex and breaking elongation 2.75%.