A Facile Degumming Method of Kenaf Fibers Using Deep Eutectic Solution

ABSTRACT

An eco-friendly and effective degumming method needed to be developed for producing kenaf bast fibers. This study devised a novel deep eutectic solvent (DES) method coupled with microwave and alkaline-ultrasonic treatment. The novel method could effectively remove the gummy matters, providing a smooth and clean fiber surface. The properties of the fibers were assessed including chemical compositions, surface structure, crystallinity index (66.68%) and thermal properties. The residual gum content (9.419%), fiber fineness (4.125tex), breaking tenacity (13.650 cn/tex) of the refined dry fibers produced by the novel treatment were comparable with the fibers produced by the traditional two-step alkali boiling method. Besides, the novel method could reduce the usage of chemical, water and time by 48.9%, by 66.7% and 66.8%, respectively. These results revealed that the novel combined DES pretreatment is a practical and feasible pretreatment method for kenaf bast degumming, demonstrating its facile, green energy-saving and fast properties in the degumming process.

摘要

红麻韧皮纤维的生产需要开发一种环保、高效的脱胶方法. 本研究设计了一种新的深度共晶溶剂法（DES）与微波和碱性超声波处理相结合的方法. 该方法能有效去除纤维表面的胶状物，使纤维表面光滑干净. 对纤维的化学组成、表面结构、结晶指数（66.68%）和热性能进行了评价. 新处理后的精制干纤维残胶含量（9.419%）、纤维细度（4.125tex）、断裂强力（13.650cn/tex）与传统碱煮法生产的纤维相当. 除此之外，新方法可使水用量减少48.66%，减少7.6%. 结果表明，新型DES组合预处理是一种实用可行的红麻韧皮脱胶预处理方法，在脱胶过程中具有简便、绿色节能、快速等特点.

KEYWORDS:

• Kenaf fiber
• natural fibers
• DES
• microwave
• ultrasonic

关键词:

• 红麻纤维
• 天然纤维
• 微波
• 超声波