Calcium Alginate Fibers Research Articles

The Preparation of Fluorescent Fibers from FCNPs and Calcium Alginate

Stable fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (FCNPs) with excellent water-solubility were prepared firstly by one-step ultrasonic treatment from the blending of glucose and sodium hydroxide. Then, the fluorescence calcium alginate fibers were successfully prepared through wet spinning, using the mixture of FCNPs and sodium alginate solution as the spinning dope. The fluorescent property of FCNPs and fibers were investigated using fluorescence spectrophotometer. Single fiber strength tester was used to measure the strength of the fluorescence fibers. The results showed that both FCNPs and fibers emitted bright blue color under 350nm wavelength UV irradiation. The strength of the fibers was improved when the content of FCNPs in the fibers achieved certain value.

Mechanical properties and dynamics of degradation of polylactide matrix composites with calcium and sodium alginate fibers

In the present article, new polylactide/alginate fibers composites were investigated. Composite pre-pregs were made by solution casting method . The aim of the study was to define physico-mechanical properties of developed materials. The scope of the studies included: examining the static mechanical properties, properties of the surface and their changes during degradation. Moreover, intensity of the release of degradation products to the environment and a change of the mass of examined samples were analyzed. Obtained results were evaluated taking into account possibility to use prepared composited as materials for vascular implants.

Influence of Calcium Ion on Thermal Degradation and Flame Retardance Behaviour of Alginate Fiber

Experimental research on calcium alginate fibers thermal degradation and flame retardancy under catalysis of metallic salts was done by limiting oxygen index (LOI), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) methods. LOI results show that with increasing calcium ions content, the flame retardant properties of the calcium alginate fibers improves further. The residues of calcium alginate fibers gradually retained fiber shape and on the surface of the residues the holes reduced, with the calcium ion content increasing. TG indicates temperature at maximum rate of weight loss (T-max) was clearly shifted from 246 °C for alginic acid fibers to 244°C, 236°C, 208°C, 205 °C and 203°C (SCa-1-1# calcium alginate fibers, SCa-2-2# calcium alginate fibers, SCa-3-3# calcium alginate fibers, SCa-4-4# calcium alginate fibers, SCa-5-5# calcium alginate fibers), respectively. The thermal degradation residues at 1000°C for different calcium alginate fibers are 13.7%, 16.1%, 17.2%, 18.2%, 18.4%, 19.2%, separately. Further discussion of the combustion process and flame retardant mechanism is presented.

Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials and its Application in Thermal-Regulated Fibers

The phase change materials (PCMs) can absorb, store or release large latent heat over a defined temperature range while the materials change phase or state, so they can be potentially used in thermal energy storage. In this paper, a series of microencapsulated phase change materials (MicroPCMs) with n-octadecane and n-dodecanol as core were successfully fabricated respectively, where the styrene-based copolymer, acrylic based copolymer, melamine-formaldehyde resin and polyurea were selected as shell materials. The morphology of these MicroPCMs was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the core-shell structure and the shell thickness of microcapsules were also characterized by SEM. In addition, the phase change properties of MicroPCMs were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. Furthermore, thermal-regulated calcium alginate fiber was produced by adding MicroPCMs in wet-spinning process; and the effects of various types of MicroPCMs on fiber was discussed.

Preparation, characterization, and dyeing properties of calcium alginate fibers

AbstractA novel attempt has been investigated in this article to dye calcium alginate fibers with acid dyes. The calcium alginate fibers were prepared by wet spinning and their dyeing properties were studied. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the surface of calcium alginate fibers was relatively smooth and uniform with many small grooves. The X‐ray diffraction results indicated that the crystallinity of the fibers was 61%. The dyeing conditions were optimized by testing the exhaustion (%). Moreover, the kinetics of dyeing calcium alginate fibers was determined as a function of dyeing time with various acid dyes. The results also showed that the calcium alginate fibers exhibited good dyeability with the fastnesses to washing and dry rubbing around 4 grades. At the same time, the dyeing process had no significant influence on the mechanical properties of the fibers with the strength loss only around 0.3 cN/dtex. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Size‐Controlled Fabrication of Polydiacetylene‐Embedded Microfibers on a Microfluidic Chip

A microfluidic technique was employed to fabricate polydiacetylene (PDA)-embedded hydrogel microfibers. By taking advantage of calcium ion-induced insoluble hydrogel formation, supramolecularly assembled diacetylene (DA)-surfactant complexes were successfully immobilized in the calcium alginate fibers. Thus, instantaneous microfiber formation was observed when the core flow of DA supramolecules-containing alginate solution met the sheath flow of calcium ions. UV irradiation of the resulting fibers afforded blue colored PDAs, and the formation of a conjugated polymer was confirmed by heat-induced phase transition and by Raman spectroscopy. By adjusting the core and sheath flow rates, PDA-embedded hydrogel fibers of various sizes were obtained.

Mechanical properties of calcium alginate fibers produced with a microfluidic device

Fibers are important microstructural elements in many foods. The main objective of this research was to produce calcium alginate fibers with uniform diameters (about 300 and 550μm) using a microfluidic device (MFD) and to study the effect of concentration of sodium alginate [Alg] and calcium chloride [CaCl2] on their mechanical properties (MP). Moisture content (MO) and MP as maximum tensile stress (σmax), tensile strain at break (ΔL/L0) and apparent Young's modulus (E) of fibers were determined and a statistical model and surface responses were developed as a function of [Alg] and [CaCl2]. As [CaCl2] increased first a strengthening and then a weakening of fibers were observed. Furthermore, σmax increased with the addition of Ca2+ and a maximum of σmax was obtained for a [CaCl2] around 1.4% (exceeding several times the stoichiometric requirements of the carboxylate groups of the polymer). Such behavior prompted a molecular explanation of what happens during gelation based on the “egg-box model” and this model is tried to complete. Moreover, fibers with [Alg] ≥1.8% showed high extensibility (ΔL/L0 around 100%) and low values of MO. High values of E (∼0.5MPa) were obtained for [CaCl2] close to 1.4%. A greater understanding is needed of the interaction between cation-polysaccharide-water, taking into account [Alg] and [CaCl2] to predict the mechanical behavior of fibers. Calcium alginate fibers are important in food engineering as texture and microencapsulation agents.

Antifungal Activity and Cytotoxicity of Zinc, Calcium, or Copper Alginate Fibers

The antifungal properties and cytotoxicity of alginate fibers were investigated to widen their application in tissue engineering. Calcium, zinc, and copper alginate fibers were separately prepared by replacing Na(+) with Ca(2+), Zn(2+), or Cu(2+). The antifungal properties of the three alginate fibers were studied after coming into contact with Candida albicans. Then, the fungal inhibitory rates were measured using the plate-count method following shake-flask test. Moreover, an inhibition-zone test and observation by scanning electron microscopy were carried out. The inhibitory rate of the calcium, copper, and zinc alginate fibers were, respectively, 49.1, 68.6, and 92.2 %. The results from inhibition-zone test and shake-flask test show that zinc alginate fibers have the most significant antifungal action and that copper alginate fibers have obvious inhibitory action, but the calcium alginate fibers have weak inhibitory effects. The scanning electron micrographs similarly illustrate that the fungal surfaces show most scraggly after the interaction between C. albicans and zinc alginate fibers. Moreover, the relative growth rates of zinc or calcium alginate fibers in human embryonic kidney cells and human fibroblast cells were more than 100 %. No significant results were obtained (P>0.05). The calcium alginate fibers in human fibroblast cells were not much different from the negative control group (P>0.05). However, zinc alginate fibers had a significant change (P<0.05). Therefore, the excellent antifungal property of zinc alginate fibers demonstrates potential application in skin tissue engineering comparing with calcium or copper alginate fibers.

Flame Retardancy and Pyrolysis Products of Calcium Alginate Fibers

The combustion properties, flame retardant property, thermal degradation and component of pyrolysis products of calcium alginate fibers were investigated in this paper. The limiting oxygen index value of calcium alginate fibers was 34.4 showing no combustion in the air. The fiber extinguishes instantly when it is moved away from the fire. During the combustion process, the heat release rates (HRR), effective heat combustion (EHC) and total heat release (THR) of calcium alginate fibers were lower than those of cotton fibers, but higher than those of sodium alginate. The carbon dioxide yield rate of calcium alginate fibers was higher than that of cotton fibers but lower than that of sodium alginate. Calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide, which are beneficial to hamper fibers combustion and diffusion of heat and oxygen, were formed during thermal degradation of calcium alginate fibers. There were 15 kinds of pyrolysis products in gas phase of calcium alginate fibers at 350°C and 45 kinds at 700 °C, while there were 26 kinds of pyrolysis products of sodium alginate at 350°C and 26 kinds at 700°C. Based on a series of study, the flame retardant mechanism of calcium alginate fibers was analyzed.

Study on the mechanical, degradation, and interfacial properties of calcium alginate fiber-reinforced polyethylene oxide composites

Calcium alginate fibers (CAFs) were prepared from sodium alginate, which is a natural polymer extracted from brown seaweeds, by extruding aqueous sodium alginate solution (4% by weight) into a calcium chloride (2% by weight) bath. Water uptake of CAF was determined in deionized water at room temperature (25°C) and it was found that the fibers absorbed 49% of water within a minute and indicated strong hydrophilic nature. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) based CAF (as a filler/reinforcing agent) reinforced unidirectional composites (10% fiber by weight) were fabricated by compression molding. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, bending strength, bending modulus, and impact strength of the PEO/CAF composite were found to be 11 MPa, 320 MPa, 18 MPa, 565 MPa, and 12 kJ/m2, respectively. Degradation tests of the PEO/CAF composites were performed for 8 weeks in soil medium and it was found that composites retained almost 50% of its original strength. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of the PEO/CAF composites was also measured by single fiber fragmentation test. The IFSS was found to be 0.47 MPa that indicated good fiber–matrix adhesion.

Preparation and Properties of Nano-Silica/calcium Alginate Blend Fibers

Calcium alginate fibers and nano-silica/calcium alginate blend fibers were prepared by the mean of wet spinning at the same spinning condition. The effect of nano-particles SiO2 on the structure and properties of alginate fibers were studied via many tests. The results showed that the tenacity of blend fibers increased with the growth of the content of SiO2 ranging from 1% to 5%, however, the tenacity of fibers became worse when the content of SiO2 was more than 5%. The effect of SiO2 content on hardness and tribological properties of the calcium alginate fiber was studied. The morphologies of the fibers surfaces were examined with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The result showed that the surface of blend fibers was still smooth when the consent of SiO2 not up to 7%, the best surface was obtained when SiO2 content was 5%. The incorporation of SiO2 also affected the absorption property of alginate fiber and made it decrease with the increase of SiO2 content. The structures of calcium alginate fibers and nano-silica/calcium alginate blend fibers were studied by infrared spectrum.

Preparation and Properties of Alginate Fibre

Alginate fibre has attracted great attention in the area of biological medical materials due to its unique biological properties. But its low tenacity greatly hinders its application area. Therefore, the preparation technology of alginate fibre has been as an important research direction in this area in recent years. The purpose of this article is to prepare the calcium alginate fibre with good properties by wet spinning. The structure and properties of this fibre are analyzed by scanning electron microscope，infrared spectrometer，thermal gravimetric analyzer and DSC.

Effect of the material structure and nanoadditive type on the thermal properties of nanocomposite alginate fibres

Abstract Thermal properties of sodium alginate and calcium alginate fibres containing nanoadditives were analysed. Thermal decomposition of fibres based on sodium alginate, both pure and containing nanoadditive, produces sodium carbonate (for fibres without nanoadditive) or, for modified fibres, a mixture of sodium carbonate with the corresponding nanoadditive, which does not undergo any changes within the range of measured temperatures. The chief gaseous products accompanying the decomposition are carbon (IV) oxide and water. The shape of the DTG curves and values of the ∗T50 coefficient indicate an improvement in the thermal properties of the fibres when ceramic nanoadditives (SiO2 and HAp) are introduced, as compared with pure sodium alginate fibres. When ceramic nanoadditives (MMT, SiO2, bioglass) are added to the material of calcium alginate fibres the nature of the thermal processes is not affected. However, similarly as for sodium alginate fibres modified with nanoadditive, here also it was note th...

Fabrication and Mechanical Characterization of Calcium Alginate Fiber-Reinforced Polyvinyl Alcohol Based Composites

Calcium alginate fibers were prepared from sodium alginate by extruding aqueous sodium alginate solution (4% by weight) into a calcium chloride (2% by weight) bath. Water uptake and mechanical properties of the calcium alginate fiber were investigated. Water uptake tests of calcium alginate showed that it absorbed 50% of water within a minute and indicated strong hydrophilic nature. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based calcium alginate fiber reinforced unidirectional composites (10% fiber by weight) were fabricated by compression molding. Tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), bending strength (BS), bending modulus (BM) and impact strength (IS) of the PVA matrix and the composite were evaluated. TS, BS, TM, and BM of the PVA matrix were found 10, 18, 320 and 532 MPa, respectively. TS and BS of the PVA based composite were found to be 16 and 27 MPa, respectively, which were 60 and 50% higher than that of the PVA matrix. TM and BM of the composite were found to be 620 and 1056 MPa, respectively, which were improved by 94 and 98% over the matrix material. Degradation tests of the composites were performed for up to 2 months in soil medium and found that composites lost almost 50% of its original mechanical properties. The interfacial properties of the composite were also investigated by using the single fiber fragmentation test (SFFT).

이온교환에 의한 칼슘알지네이트 섬유의 제조

Calcium alginate fiber were prepared by wet spinning of various conditions, including different concentrations of sodium alginate solution and <TEX>$CaCl_2$</TEX> concentrations for coagulating the fiber through an absorption of calcium ion. The absorption of calcium ion during the coagulating step lead to solidify the fibers by the replacement of sodium ion with calcium ion to produce some crosslinking. The concentration of calcium ion in the calcium alginate fiber seems to be well related to the mechanical and physical property of the fiber, such as fiber strength moisture regain, and degree of swelling. The tensile strength of calcium alginate fiber was increased along with the increasing amount of sodium alginate solution. According to EDS analysis, 7 wt% <TEX>$CaCl_2$</TEX> coagulation bath resulted in more calcium ion in the fiber compared to 3 wt% <TEX>$CaCl_2$</TEX> coagulation bath. The decomposition temperature of calcium alginate fiber was <TEX>$199^{\circ}C$</TEX>, which <TEX>$14^{\circ}C$</TEX> higher than that of sodium alginate.

Pyrolysis products and thermal degradation mechanism of intrinsically flame-retardant calcium alginate fibre

Intrinsically flame-retardant calcium alginate fibre was prepared by wet spinning and its pyrolysis products and thermal degradation mechanism studied. Combustion behaviour and flammability were assessed using the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and cone calorimetry. LOI results showed that calcium alginate fibre was intrinsically flame retardant with LOI value of 48.0, as compared to about 20.0 for viscose fibre. Cone calorimetry indicated that heat release rate and total heat release values of intrinsically flame-retardant fibre were significantly less than those of viscose fibre. It also shown that intrinsically flame-retardant fibre combustion produced greater quantities of residues than did viscose fibre combustion. Combustion residues were examined using scanning electron microscopy, indicating that calcium alginate fibre produced consistent, thick residue crusts. Pyrolysis was investigated using pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py–GC–MS) which showed that cracking products produced from calcium alginate fibres combustion were less than those in viscose fibre combustion, and pyrolysis of the intrinsically flame-retardant fibre was incomplete. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) indicated that calcium alginate fibre generated more residues containing carbonaceous char and calcium carbonate, as compared with viscose fibre. We propose a condensed phase mechanism for the calcium alginate fibre flame-retardancy effect.

Cytotoxicity and Antiviral Activity of Calcium Alginate Fibers and Zinc Alginate Fibers

The cytotoxicity and anti-influenza virus (IFV) activity of calcium or zinc alginate fibers were investigated to explore the feasibility of them to be used as biomaterials. African Green Monkey kidney cell (Vero) and human cervical cancer cell (Hela) cultured with alginate fibres were used to screen cytotoxic effects. After 48 h, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazol)-2,5-diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide) assays were performed. Then cytotoxicity was evaluated with six grades according to cell relative growth rate (RGR). In anti-IFV activity assay, IFV were added to all fibers and the Vero cell survival were detected by MTT assays with calculating the percentage of protection. The cytotoxity of calcium alginate fibers on Vero were grade 0 or 1 in contrast to zinc alginate fibers which was grade 0. The cytotoxity of calcium or zinc alginate fibers on Hela were grade 0. Furthermore, partial calcium or zinc alginate fibers could promote Vero or Hela cell growth. In antiviral assay the highest percentage of protection of calcium alginate fibers was 34.42%, while that of zinc alginate fibers was 59.42%. The results showed that calcium or zinc alginate fibers had a good cellular biocompatibility and the large weight zinc alginate fibers had a better anti-IFV activity than calcium alginate fibers, which is potential for tissue engineering.

Effect of Silane Treatment on the Mechanical and Interfacial Properties of Calcium Alginate Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composite

Calcium alginate fibers were treated with vinyl triethoxy silane [H 2C=CH-Si-(OC2H5)3] (5%, v/v) to reduce the strong hydrophilic nature of the fiber and also to improve the mechanical and interfacial properties of the calcium alginate fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites (10 wt% fiber). The composites were fabricated by compression molding. The tensile strength, tensile modulus, bending strength, bending modulus, and impact strength of both the composite systems (PP/untreated calcium alginate fiber and PP/silane-treated calcium alginate fiber) were found to be 25 MPa, 1090 MPa, 36 MPa, 1480 MPa, and 17 kJ/m2 and 31 MPa, 1510 MPa, 48 MPa, 2270 MPa, and 21 kJ/m2, respectively. Degradation tests of composites were performed for 16 weeks in soil and it was found that the silane treated composites retained almost 84% of its original strength. The interfacial properties of the composite were investigated by using single fiber fragmentation test.

Effect of Jet Stretch and Particle Load on Cellulose Nanocrystal−Alginate Nanocomposite Fibers

Alginate fibers have found many applications such as the preparation of dressings to treat exuding wounds, drug delivery, enzyme immobilization, etc.; however, their use is limited due to poor mechanical properties. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were isolated from cotton and introduced into calcium alginate fibers with the goal of improving their strength and modulus. The isolated CNCs are elongated nanoparticles of crystalline cellulose with an average length of 130 nm with a standard deviation (s) of 63 nm, an average width of 20.4 nm (s = 7.8 nm), and an average height of 6.8 nm (s = 3.3 nm). The CNCs were mixed with an aqueous sodium alginate dope solution and wet spun into a CaCl(2) bath to form fibers. It was found that if the apparent jet stretch (ratio of the fiber draw velocity to extrusion velocity) is kept constant, addition of the nanocrystals reduces the tensile strength and modulus of the material; however, a small concentration of CNCs in the dope solution increases the tensile energy to break and enables an increase in the fiber spinning apparent jet stretch ratio by nearly 2-fold at up to 25% CNCs load; the maximum ratio of 4.6 is observed at 25 wt % CNC loading as compared to a maximum of 2.4 for the native alginate. Mechanical testing showed a 38% increase in tenacity and a 123% increase in tensile modulus with 10 wt % CNCs loading and an apparent jet stretch of 4.2. The data suggest that alignment of the nanocrystals in the composites is a key factor influencing the mechanical properties. CNCs have potential to become a biocompatible, renewable, and cost-effective solution to reinforce alginate fibers.

The influence of fiber formation conditions on the structure and properties of nanocomposite alginate fibers containing tricalcium phosphate or montmorillonite

AbstractThe authors devised conditions for the formation of nanocomposite calcium alginate fibers containing tricalcium phosphate (TCP) or montmorillonite (MMT). The rheological, sorptive, and strength properties of these fibers, as well as their porous and supramolecular structures were subjected to analysis. It has been concluded that the presence of nanoadditives in the material of alginate fibers decreases their susceptibility to distortion in the drawing stage. The obtained fibers are characterized by an even distribution of the nanoadditive on the fiber surface. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1321–1331, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers