Natural fiber chemical functionalization

Treatments with Chemicals or Resins. Resin treatments are divided into topical or chemical modifications of the fiber itself. Most chemical treatments of synthetic fibers are topical because of the inert character of the fiber itself and the general resistance of the fiber to penetration by reagents. By contrast, ceUulosics and wool possess chemical functionality that makes them reactive with reagents containing groups designed for such purchases. Natural fibers also provide a better substrate for nonreactive topical treatments because they permit better penetration of the reagents. 

Native cellulose are commonly modified by physical, chemical, enzymic, or genetic means in order to obtain specific functional properties, and to improve some of the inherent properties that limit their utility in certain application. Physical/surface modification of cellulose are performed in order to clean the fiber surface, chemically modify the surface, stop the moisture absorption process, and increase the surface roughness. " Among the various pretreatment techniques, silylation, mercerization, peroxide, benzoylation, graft copolymerization, and bacterial cellulose treatment are the best methods for surface modification of natural fibers. 

Cellulosic fibers are characterized by favorable properties such as renewability, biodegradability, environment friendly, excellent affinity for chemical functionalization as well as potential applicability [149]. Cellulosic fibers may be natural, such as cotton, flax, and jute, or regenerated fibers such as lyocell, using NMMO [N-methyl, morpholine-N-oxide] as a solvent for cellulose pulp, viscose, via, more environment-friendly viscose process, as well as bamhoo viscose fibers [24,142,149]. 

Oksman K (2001) Mechanical properties and morphology of flax fiber reinforced melamine-formaldehyde composites. Polym Compos 22(4) 568—578 Oomah D (2001) Flaxseed as a functional food source. J Sci Agric 81(9) 889-894 Opoku A, Panigrahi S, Tabil L (2007) Frictional properties of natural and chemically treated flax fiber. In 2007 AS ABE Annual International Meeting, vol 13, Technical Paper NumbCT 076188 Minneapolis, MN, 17—20 June 2007... 

---