The Preparation and Properties of Absorption Functional Fiber Based on Butyl Methacrylate/Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate Copolymer and Low-Density Polyethylene

Abstract

Absorption functional fiber based on butyl methacrylate (BMA)/hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) copolymer and low density polyethylene (LDPE) was prepared by the method of gelation-spinning in a twin screw extruding machine. The swelling behavior, desorption, selective absorption, miscibility of polymer blend and the influence of post-treatment on the relevant property were investigated. The results show that the fiber poorly absorbs ethanol and water, but can absorb a large amount of toluene, trichloroethylene or chloroform in a comparatively short time. Desorption results show that the absorbed organic matter can be effectively removed from the swollen fiber by the methods of elution and extraction, and the regenerated fiber can be reused. The results for selective absorption show that the fiber can absorb toluene from mixed system with a higher efficiency during a short time. The results analyzed by DMA and TG show that there is a lower level of miscibility of LDPE with BMA/HEMA copolymer in amorphous regions. In addition, stretch temperature and relaxation heat setting, along with heat treatment, have a great impact on dynamic mechanical performance, swelling behavior and cross-linking structures for the blend fiber. The morphology observed by SEM indicates that blending with LDPE can effectively improve spinnability of BMA/HEMA copolymer.