Sodium alginate/cellulose nanocrystal fibers with enhanced mechanical strength prepared by wet spinning

Sodium alginate/cellulose nanocrystal fibers were prepared using a wet spinning method to enhance the mechanical strength of sodium alginate fibers. Cellulose nanocrystals were prepared by sulfuric acid hydrolysis method. The particle diameter size was measured, and the morphology of cellulose nanocrystals was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The structure and mechanical properties of sodium alginate/cellulose nanocrystal fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and mechanical strength testing. The incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals significantly improved the strength of alginate fibers because of the uniform distribution of cellulose nanocrystals in the alginate matrix. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the alginate fibers increased from 1.54 to 2.05 cN/dtex and from 8.29% to 15.05% with increasing cellulose nanocrystals content from 0 to 2 wt%, respectively.