17th International Fiber and Polymer Research Symposium

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Synthesis and melt spinning of thermoplastic cellulose: A short review

Authors :

Maryam Sabzi Mobarakeh¹ Mohammad Ali Tavanaie² Seyed Hajir Bahrami³

1- Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran 2- Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran 3- Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

Keywords :

Thermoplastic cellulose،Cellulose esters،Melt spinning،Cellulose extraction،biodegradable fibers

Abstract :

Biodegradable textile fibers have been receiving much attention recently as a novel kind of textile fiber in many different countries, especially developed countries. Since cellulose makes up a significant amount of the fibers used in the textile industry, extracting cellulose from appropriate sources and using it to create biodegradable synthetic cellulosic fibers is an efficient way to promote environmental sustainability. A common method to make these fibers is solution spinning. The lack of environmentally hazardous solvents, increased efficiency, and significantly faster production speeds distinguish melt spinning from solution spinning as the most appropriate technique for creating synthetic fibers. Melt-spun polymers require thermoplastic properties. Because cellulose lacks thermoplastic characteristics, direct melt spinning of the cellulose is not feasible. Numerous cellulose derivatives, such as cellulose esters and ethers, have been shown to be thermoplastic through studies. Several thermoplastic cellulose esters, including cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), and cellulose octanoate, have been successfully melt spun, according to published studies. After analyzing the rheological and structural characteristics of several cellulose derivatives, CAB was found to be the best cellulose ester for melt spinning. Furthermore, different methods for producing suitable thermoplastic cellulose ester were examined, and the results indicated that the best synthesis system was LiCl/DMAc based on efficiency, safety, and cost. To synthesize cellulose esters, a variety of cellulose resources were investigated; based on cellulose content and degree of polymerization, tissue and paper pulp appeared to be the best sources for cellulose extraction.