Correlation between structure characteristics and adsorption properties of regenerated cellulose fibers

We correlate fine structure with the adsorption behavior of new (lyocell) and conventional (viscose, modal) regenerated cellulose fibers. We have studied the molecular structure, the fine structure and, most important of all, the amorphous regions and voids in the system. Differences in adsorption properties of all three-fiber types were determined by using several methods for quantification of water, dye and iodine adsorption. The structural analysis shows that higher molecular weight, a higher degree of crystallinity and a higher molecular orientation are found in lyocell fibers [1]. Our results obtained by several independent methods demonstrate clearly that the adsorption properties of cellulose fibers depend, with the exception of the portion and orientation of amorphous regions, predominantly on the void system (diameter, volume and inner surface of voids) [2].