The purpose of this research work was to develop novel continuous bio-composite fibres with a combination of wood pulp or lignin and synthetic polymers, using continuous electrospinning and extrusion processes. The electrospun composite fibres have potential application in filtration, wound dressing, non-woven fabrics and support of thin polymeric separation membranes. Lignin fibres could be used for the development of carbon fibres.
Two types of polyethylene oxide electronspun composite fibres (300-600 nm in diameter) were formulated using treated and untreated wood fibre. The optimum polymer solution concentration (7 wt.%) and addition of 5 wt.% wood pulp were found to produce uniform composite fibres. Superior dispersion and orientation were obtained with acetylated wood pulp as compared to untreated fibres. Similarly, wood pulp and nylon 6,6 based bio-composite fibres were generated successfully by electrospinning process. In this study solution concentration was found to be a critical parameter in regulating the diameter of fibres.
Bio-composite fibres were developed from wood pulp and polypropylene (PP) by an extrusion process and subsequently characterized by various techniques. Tensile properties of composite fibres were improved by addition of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) and wood pulp. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy provided the nature of chemical interaction between wood pulp reinforcement and PP matrix. Scanning electron microscopy results revealed that MAPP treatment was effective in increasing reinforcing fibre-matrix compatibility. X-ray computed tomography showed that the fibre becomes more aligned along the length axis possibly due to compression and die geometry of the extruder.
Finally, blended lignin fibres (hardwood lignin/polyethylene oxide) were successfully developed by an extrusion process. Softening temperature and glass transition temperature of lignin were measured by differential scanning calorimetry which was helpful in selecting an optimal temperature profile for the extrusion process. Rheological studies provided information about the viscosity of hardwood lignin which was useful in producing lignin fibres.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TORONTO/oai:tspace.library.utoronto.ca:1807/65459 |
| Date | 19 June 2014 |
| Creators | Awal, Md. Abdul |
| Contributors | Sain, Mohini |
| Source Sets | University of Toronto |
| Language | en_ca |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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