Preparation and characterization of carboxymethyl cellulose nonwovens by a wet-laid process

In this study, micro-porous carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) nonwovens were prepared by carboxymethylation of cellulose nonwovens produced by a wet-laid process and their properties were investigated for potential applications as adhesion prevention barriers. After carboxymethylation, the thickness and mean pore size of the cellulose nonwovens were increased, whereas their pore size distribution became narrower. Tensile strength of cellulose nonwovens was proportional to basis weight, and dramatically increased after carboxymethylation. CMC nonwovens immediately absorbed a phosphate buffered saline solution and showed swollen phase within 1 min. It was found that the thickness and pore size distribution of CMC nonwovens could be easily controlled by the wet-laid process. It is expected that the CMC nonwovens can be used as adhesion prevention barriers.     

Eco-friendly dyeing of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) with temporarily solubilized azo disperse dyes based on pyridone derivatives

Dispersant-free PTT dyeing of temporarily solubilized azo disperse dyes based on pyridone moiety which contain β-sulfatoethylsulfonyl group was investigated. The dyes were successfully applied to PTT without the use of dispersants. The color yields of the dyes on PTT fabric were dependent on dyeing pH as well as dyeing temperature. The optimum results were obtained at pH 5–6 and 110 °C. The dyes showed alkali-clearing property and exhibited good to excellent fastness on the PTT fabric. The COD levels of the dyeing effluent from the temporarily solubilized disperse dyes were much smaller than those from commercial disperse dye.     

Tunable supercurrent through semiconductor nanowires

Nanoscale superconductor/semiconductor hybrid devices are assembled from indium arsenide semiconductor nanowires individually contacted by aluminum-based superconductor electrodes. Below 1 kelvin, the high transparency of the contacts gives rise to proximity-induced superconductivity. The nanowires form superconducting weak links operating as mesoscopic Josephson junctions with electrically tunable coupling. The supercurrent can be switched on/off by a gate voltage acting on the electron density in the nanowire. A variation in gate voltage induces universal fluctuations in the normal-state conductance, which are clearly correlated to critical current fluctuations. The alternating-current Josephson effect gives rise to Shapiro steps in the voltage-current characteristic under microwave irradiation.     

Effects of binder fibers and bonding processes on PET hollow fiber nonwovens for automotive cushion materials

In this study, nonwoven fabrics were developed for the replacement of polyurethane foams in car interiors, in particular, cushioning materials for car seats. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) hollow fibers and two types of bicomponent binder fibers were used to manufacture automotive nonwovens by carding processes and then post-bonding processes, such as needle punching or thermal bonding. The physical and mechanical properties of nonwovens were thoroughly investigated with respect to the effects of binder fibers and bonding processes. The tensile strength and elongation for nonwovens were found to be significantly improved by combined needle punching and thermal bonding processes. In addition, the nonwoven cushioning materials were characterized in terms of hardness, support factors, and compressive and ball rebound resilience. The nonwovens showed greater hardness than the flexible PU foam. However, support factors over 2.8 for the nonwovens indicated improved seating comfort, along with better seating characteristics of greater resilience and air permeability in comparison with the PU foam.     

Nanocellulose reinforced PVA composite films: Effects of acid treatment and filler loading

Nanocellulose was prepared by acid hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) at different hydrobromic acid (HBr) concentrations. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite films were prepared by the reinforcement of nanocellulose into a PVA matrix at different filler loading levels and subsequent film casting. Chemical characterization of nanocelluloses was performed for the analysis of crystallinity (X_c), degree of polymerization (DP), and molecular weight (M_w). The mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocellulose reinforced PVA films were also measured for tensile strength and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The acid hydrolysis decreased steadily the DP and M_w of MCC. The crystallinity of MCC with 1.5 M and 2.5 M HBr showed a significant increase due to the degradation of amorphous domains in cellulose. Higher crystalline cellulose showed the higher thermal stability than MCC. From X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, nanocellulose samples showed the higher peak intensity than MCC cases. Reduction of MCC particle by acid hydrolysis was clearly observed from scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The tensile and thermal properties of PVA composite films were significantly improved with the increase of the nanocellulose loading.     

Manufacturing and analyses of wet-laid nonwoven consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose fibers

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a cellulose derivative having water-soluble property, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. It has been used in various medical applications as forms of gel, film, membrane, or powder. In this study, composite CMC nonwovens were produced, by a wet-laid nonwoven process, to improve the wet strength of carboxymethyl cellulose nonwovens. Followed by preparing the CMC fibers from cotton fiber, the composite CMC nonwovens composed of CMC fibers and PE/PP bicomponent fibers were manufactured by using 85/15 % v/v of ethanol/water solution as a dispersion medium. Structural analyses of CMC fibers, such as XRD, TGA, FT-IR, and degree of substitution indicated that CMC fibers were successfully produced. The wet strength of CMC nonwoven was dramatically increased by blending with the PE/PP fibers without sacrificing the key properties for wound dressing materials such as liquid absorption, gel blocking and liquid retention. It is expected that the composite CMC nonwovens will be a good candidate for wound dressing materials for mild exudate condition.     

Study on the effects of reaction conditions on carboxymethyl cellulose nonwoven manufactured by wet-laid process

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) has been used in medical area by virtue of their high water absorption property, bio-degradability, and biocompatibility. It has been mainly used as forms of gel, powder, and film due to the limitation in processability on textile structures, especially nonwoven. In this study we demonstrated wet-laid nonwoven process for viscose rayon and carboxymethylation to produce CMC nonwoven. The effects of process conditions, such as reaction time and amount of monochloroacetic acid (MCA) in carboxymethylation, were investigated in terms of the degree of substitution (DS), morphological properties and mechanical properties of the CMC nonwoven. Molar ratio of MCA to cellulose and etherification time played important roles in determining characteristics of CMC nonwoven. As DS increased, strength was improved while elongation decreased. Gel blocking behavior of CMC nonwoven with higher DS indicated the applicability of CMC nonwoven as wound dressing and adhesion prevention materials.