ARS | Publication request: PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF CHEMICALLY AND ENZYMATICALLY MODIFIED CELLULOSIC SURFACES

Submitted to: Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 10, 2004
Publication Date: August 13, 2004
Citation: Buschie-Diller, G., Inglesby, M.K., Wu, Y. 2004. Physicochemical properties of chemically and enzymatically modified cellulosic surfaces. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects.

Interpretive Summary: Determination of fiber surface characteristics is critical as they determine the interfacial properties between the matrix and fiber reinforcing agent of composite materials. The ultimate mechanical properties of composite materials are largely dependent upon these interfacial characteristics. Various experimental techniques have been utilized to elucidate fiber surface characteristics. While the results obtained with some analytical techniques show good correlation, those of others can differ greatly. It is shown that dynamic contact angle measurements in specific may not be appropriate for the characterization of particular cellulosic fibers and that results obtained by this method may be misleading.

Technical Abstract: Surface characteristics of modified cotton fibers have been studied using electrokinetic analysis (EKA), inverse gas chromatography (IGC), and dynamic contact angle (DCA) determinations. Modifications of cotton surfaces included water-proofing, crosslinking, dyeing with a bifunctional reactive dye and cellulase biopolishing. Comparisons are made to linen as an example of a natural cellulosic fiber other than cotton and to rayon as a representative of a regenerated cellulosic fiber. Generally all cellulosic surfaces were bipolar with a slightly higher acidic contribuiton in the case of the cotton samples. Results from EKA and IGC showed good correlation, while DCA yielded unreasonably high basic ocntributions most likely due to fiber swelling.