Extraction and Characterization of Fibers from Corn Husk

ABSTRACT

In the present research, corn husk fibers were extracted by chemical method using sodium hydroxide followed by acid treatment. The objective was to obtain easily twistable, soft and fine fibers. The extracted fibers were characterized in terms of their physical properties. Thermo-gravimetric analysis was also preformed to assess the effect of acid treatment on the fiber thermal properties. It was found that, alkali treatment yields 26–28% fibers on the weight of husk treated. Acid treatment with Sulfuric acid removes impurities such as hemi-cellulose and lignin and is directly related to acid concentration. Acid treatment reduces fiber length, but however, a milder treatment results in a longer fiber length distribution. The linear density of alkali treated fibers reduces from 61 dtex to 30 dtex after the acid treatment. In addition, acid treatment also results in reduction of moisture regain from 13.5% to 11.75%. The alkali treated fibers show a tenacity value of 16.2 cN/Tex and this value reduces after the acid treatment. Interestingly, the fibers treated with acid at 7.5gpl concentration exhibit a highest value of 18.1 cN/Tex and this value reduces further to 12.5cN/Tex as the acid concentration increases. Acid treatment results in more thermally stable fibers.

摘要

本研究采用氢氧化钠化学法提取玉米壳纤维, 然后进行酸处理. 目的是获得易于扭转, 柔软和精细的纤维。从物理性能方面对提取的纤维进行了表征. 还进行了热重分析, 以评估酸处理对纤维热性能的影响. 结果表明, 碱处理后, 纤维产量占处理后果皮重量的26-28%. 用硫酸进行酸处理可去除半纤维素和木质素等杂质, 并与酸浓度直接相关. 酸处理减少了纤维长度, 但较温和的处理会导致更长的纤维长度分布。酸处理后, 碱处理纤维的线密度从61 dtex降低到30 dtex. 此外, 酸处理还导致回潮率从13.5%降低到11.75%. 碱处理纤维的韧性值为16.2 cN/Tex, 该值在酸处理后降低. 有趣的是, 在7.5gpl浓度下用酸处理的纤维显示出18.1 cN/Tex的最高值, 并且随着酸浓度的增加, 该值进一步降低至12.5cN/Tex. 酸处理后的纤维热稳定性更好.

KEYWORDS:

• Corn husk
• corn fibers
• acid treatment
• hemicellulose
• lignin
• fiber characterization

关键词:

• 玉米壳
• 玉米纤维
• 酸处理
• 半纤维素
• 木质素
• 纤维特性

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).