Biodegradability of cellulose fibres in textile blends

The rate of enzymatic hydrolysis depends on the structural features of cellulose, as well as on the composition of the cellulolytic complex. Sttuctural features such as crystalhnity and accessible surface area determine the 

Application of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) allows the observation of appearance of fibres and their changes during the enzymatic degradation (see Fig. 4.20). As a result of the enzymatic degradation process for the polyester-cellulose fibrous blends, the degree of saccharification of cellulose fraction was achieved at a level up to 99 wt.%. 

The final product resulting from the biodegradation process was composed mainly of the polyester fibres with a relatively low content of residual cellulose fibres. The mechanical properties of the polyester fibres isolated from the blend after enzymatic treatment are comparable to the standard PET fibres 

20 Scanning electron microscopic image of the polyester-cellulose blend (a) initial blend, (b) after biodegradation of cellulose fibres. 

Parameter Unit PET fibres standard Residual PET fibres 

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