Abstract
This paper describes the results of using oxygen (O2) plasma to treat both greige and scoured cotton yarns to cause significant degradation of cellulose. This study is an effort to reduce hazardous caustic chemicals commonly used to make the cellulose molecule more accessible for uses in such applications as biofuels. Through high power density, 0.46 W/cm2, and the study of varying exposure times, we find longer durations of 30 min to 90 min result in significant cellulose structure degradation. Due to waxes and contaminants found on greige yarns, scoured yarn degradation occurs at shorter exposure times than greige yarns, however, both experience tearing and pitting with longer exposures. This study provides evidence that significant degradation of cellulosic yarns can be achieved through high power density O2 plasma exposure.
Highlights
Cellulosic materials are found in plants and are heavily used in the textile industry
Other researchers have observed slight degradation of cotton fabrics using atmospheric pressure plasma treatments with exposure times less than or equal to 30 min [12,13,14]; we found, longer plasma exposure times greater than 30 min with a power density of 0.46W/cm2 to cause significant degradation of both greige and scoured cellulose yarn
Began to exhibit visual breakages when treated for 15 min with an O2 flow rate of 200 cc/min, as well as a severe decrease in structural integrity that was further amplified at longer exposure times. (Figure 1, Supplemental Video S1)
Summary
Cellulosic materials are found in plants and are heavily used in the textile industry. Because of the ubiquity of cellulose, strategies for its environmental break down are important and necessary. The cotton materials that end up in the waste stream contain valuable cellulosic material that could have potential use as alternative fuels [1]. Enzymatic saccharification for the breakdown of pure cellulosic material for use in biofuels is often difficult, resulting in lower than desired yields due to the cellulose structure [2]. Pre-treatments are needed to make the cellulose more accessible to the enzymes. A common method for the degradation of cellulosic materials is acid hydrolysis, which uses caustic chemicals [3,4]. It is important to investigate non-hazardous techniques to increase/aid in the decomposition of cellulose so that it may be made more accessible
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