Effect of hemicellulose removal on the structural and mechanical properties of regenerated fibers from bamboo

In order to investigate the effect of hemicellulose removal on the structural and mechanical properties of the regenerated fibers, successive alkaline treatments with increasing concentrations were employed to obtain the cellulosic materials with different hemicellulose contents. Hemicelluloses removal increased the viscosity of spinning solutions and enhance the compactness and mechanical property of the fibers, although negatively affected the crystal structure and the crystallinity of the regenerated fibers. The maximum viscosity of spinning solution and the highest tensile strength of regenerated fiber were observed from the cellulosic materials with 17.5 % hemicelluloses. It was the synergistic result of the changes in surface exposure, molecular weight and degradation of cellulosic substrate during hemicellulose removal and cellulose dissolution process. The removal of the branched hemicelluloses, rather than the unbranched components, was the key to balance these factors and obtain stronger fiber.