Effect of formation conditions on the structure and properties of nanocomposite alginate fibers

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The conditions for producing nanocomposite fibers composed of calcium alginate, containing a hydroxyapatite nanoadditive were devised and the rheological, sorptive, and strength properties of these fibers, as well as their porous and supramolecular structure were subjected to analysis. It has been concluded that the presence of the HAp nanoadditive in the material of alginate fibers decreases their susceptibility to distortion in the drawing stage, which results in their tenacity properties being lower by 2cN/tex than of the fibers with no nanoadditive. The obtained nanocomposite fibers are characterised by a tenacity value exceeding 26 cN/tex, accompanied by high sorptive and water-retention properties of 90% and the even distribution of the nanoadditive on the fiber surface.

The influence of fiber formation conditions on the structure and properties of nanocomposite alginate fibers containing tricalcium phosphate or montmorillonite

“…The reduced internal friction in the system, related to the tearing off of the solvation sheath, is thus determined not only by the type of nanoadditives but also by their size and tendency to form clusters. Similar regularities have been discovered in the case of solutions containing HAp nanoadditive [14].…”

“…The rheological parameter k , which measures the consistency of the solution is also lower in comparison to the MMT‐enriched solution. Its value is also similar to that of a solution with no nanoadditive [14]. This determines the arrangement of the curves illustrating the relationship between apparent dynamic viscosity in the shearing function (see Fig.…”

“…As it was explained in detail in our previous article [14], the lowered crystallization ability of alginates is connected with the high content of calcium ions in the fibers. These ions make possible the formation of so called “egg‐box” zones, that arise between the pairs of G blocks located in two adjacent macromolecules of alginate [20, 21].…”

“…The analysis of flow curves (see Fig. 1) shows that, just as in the case of HAp nanoadditive [14] the presence of TCP or MMT in the solution does not change the rheological nature of the liquid. It remains a shearing‐diluted non‐Newtonian liquid with no flow limit.…”

“…It follows from the analysis of sorption properties of fibers with TCP and MMT that, similarly to fibers with an addition of hydroxyapatite [14], the properties are determined by the hydrophilic nature of the material. This explains minor changes in sorption properties as a function of the as‐spun draw ratio and deformation at the stretching stage (Table 2).…”