Modified Cellulose Fibers

A method has been presented according to which cotton fibers, are treated with a combination of an alkyl ketene dimer, modified com starch and a cationic retention agent, in order to get a cellulose material which is both hydrophobic and biodegradable (28). 

Specific examples for ketene dimers are summarized in Table 5.9. Ketene dimers are commercially available from Hercules Inc. Wilmington, Delaware under trade names such as Aquapel and Hereon (29), or NovaSize AKD 3016, made by Georgia-Pacific Corp. (30). 

The reaction with ketene dimers effects the formation of bridges that are narrowing the pores of the cotton fiber so that the passage of water across the fiber is greatly delayed. The main stages of preparation are (28)  

Octyl ketene dimer Dodecyl ketene dimer Hexadecyl ketene dimer Eicosyl ketene dimer Tetracosyl ketene dimer Benzyl jS-naphthyl ketene dimer Montanic acid ketene dimer 10-decylenic acid ketene dimer Palmitoleic acid ketene dimer Ricinoleic acid ketene dimer Vaccenic acid ketene dimer Linolenic acid ketene dimer Licanic acid ketene dimer Tariric acid ketene dimer Arachidonic acid ketene dimer Erucic acid ketene dimer Coconut oil ketene dimer Palm kernel oil ketene dimer Olive oil ketene dimer Rape oil ketene dimer 

Decyl ketene dimer Tetradecyl ketene dimer Octadecyl ketene dimer Docosyl ketene dimer Phenyl ketene dimer Cyclohexyl ketene dimer Naphthenic acid ketene dimer 10-Dodecylenic acid ketene dimer Oleic acid ketene dimer Petroselinic acid ketene dimer Linoleic acid ketene dimer Eleostearic acid ketene dimer Parinaric acid ketene dimer Gadoleic acid ketene dimer Cetoleic acid ketene dimer Selacholeic acid ketene dimer Babassu oil ketene dimer Palm oil ketene dimer Peanut oil ketene dimer Beef tallow ketene dimer 

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W. B. Russo and G. A. Serad, in A. L. Turbak, ed.. Solvent Spun Rayon, Modified Cellulose Fibers and Derivatives, ACS Symposium Series 58, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., 1977, p. 96. 

Felix, J.M. and Gatenhobn, P. (1991). The nature of adhesion in composites of modified cellulose fibers and polypropylene. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 42(3), 609-620. 

Oil Gator is a chemically modified cellulosic fiber that promotes in sitn biodegradation of hydrocarbons. According to the manufacturer, when the fiber is moistened, the bacteria reproduce and adapt to the available hydrocarbon food source. Oil Gator also extracts hydrocarbons by adsorption. 

Turbak, A. F. Solvent Spun Rayon, Modified Cellulose Fibers and Deriv-... 

Gatenholm et al. [23] studied the nature of adhesion in the composites of modified cellulose fibers and pol)q>ropylene. Biofibers were surface-modified... 

Table 17.4 chemical structures of the appended moiety on the different modified cellulose fibers. 

Table 17.5 Maximum adsorbed amounts (mg.g ) of adsorbed organic solutes onto chemically modified cellulose fibers. ...

Cotton fibers have been coated with silicone dioxide-based layers using atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) technique. SiO network armor was obtained through hydrolysis and condensation of the precursor TEOS and has been cross linked on the surface of cotton fibers. Because of the protective effects of the SiO network armor, the modified cellulosic fibers exhibit improved flame retardancy. SiO -APP coated textiles may have in the future numerous applications in the development of upholstered furniture, clothing, and military (Totolin et al., 2010). 

Cellulases are another important group of enzymes used in the textile industry due to their ability to modify cellulosic fibers and improve their quality. 

Seko M, Takama M and Saito K, Method for modifying cellulosic fiber , Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho, 6pp, JP 04333673 A2 921120 Heisei. 

Similar to reports in this monograph research and development to modify cellulosic fibers to impart new properties were programs proposed in the 1930 s and later implemented on a large scale in laboratories and industry. Modifications of the properties of cellulosic fibers by addition of finishes and by chemical reactions to make them more resistant to fire, mildew, crushing, creasing, soiling, abrasion, chemical action, and other environmental and use conditions and to impart special reactivities have continued to be of interest. 

Raj, R.G. and Kokta, B.V. (1992) Mechanical Properties of Surface-Modified Cellulose Fibers-Thermoplastic Composites in Emerging Technologies for Materials and Chemicals from Biomass, R.M. Rowell, T.P. Scultz, R. Narayan (eds.) ACS Symp. Ser. 476, pp.76-87... 

Yamaki S.B., Barros D.S., Garcia C.M., Socoloski P., Oliveira O.N., Atvars T.D.Z. (2005), Spectroscopic Studies of the Intermolecular Interactions of Congo Red and Tinopal CBS with Modified Cellulose Fibers Lang/nt/ir, 21,12, 5414-20. 

The range of properties and usefulness of cellulosic libers has been increased by preparation of cellulosic products that contain macromolecularly modified cellulosic fibers, usually referred to as cellulose copolymers. A cellulose copolymer is cellulose covalently linked to a polymer, so that separation by solvent extraction is difficult without first degrading the cellulose, e.g. by hydrolysis... 

R. G. Raj, B. V. Kokta, Mechanical properties of surface modified cellulose fiber thermoplastic composites. Acs Symposium Series 476,76-87 (1992). 

There are already encouraging alternatives. Processes with N-methyl morpholine oxide/water as a solvent for cellulose (- cellulose fibers) are now in commercial use. These fibers have been given the generic name Lyocell . Under these circumstances, the importance of regenerated or modified cellulose fibers may increase once again. 

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