Fabrication and characterization of chemical crosslinked cellulose fiber by dissolving cellulose in alkali urea aqueous solvent

Abstract Sustainable materials fabricated from natural polymers have attracted much attentions because of their multiple advantages like abundant renewable resource, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and nontoxicity, while their actually application often restricted by mechanical properties. Chemical crosslinking method was usually used to improve the mechanical properties of cellulose materials such as hydrogel, film, aerogel, and so forth. Here, cellulose fibers were fabricated from cellulose solution in alkali/urea aqueous solvent by chemical crosslinking with epichlorohydrin in a PVC hose. The chemical crosslinked cellulose fibers exhibited smooth surface and circular cross‐section. Their tensile strength increased from 128 to 368 MPa by adjusting cellulose concentration, ECH concentration, and draw ratio. The crystallinity of the fibers changed from 43.1% to 49.8% after drawing process. Meanwhile, the fibers exhibited a brighter color after dyeing than the viscose rayon. This work promising an avenue for preparation of mechanical strong cellulose fibers.