Preparation and Properties of Wet-Spun Microcomposite Filaments from Cellulose Nanocrystals and Alginate Using a Microfluidic Device

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were wet-spun in a coagulation bath for the fabrication of microfilaments, and the effect of sodium alginate (AL) addition on the wet-spinnability and properties of the microcomposite filament was investigated. The CNC suspension exhibited excellent wet-spinnability in calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution, and the addition of AL in CNC suspension resulted in the enhancement of the wet-spinnability of CNCs. As the AL content increased from 3% to 10%, the average diameter of the microcomposite filament decreased, and its tensile properties deteriorated. The increased spinning rate caused an increase in the orientation index of CNCs, resulting in an improvement in the tensile properties of the microcomposite filament.

Automated summary

CNCs showed excellent wet-spinnability in CaCl2 solution, and the addition of AL enhanced this property. Increasing AL content led to a decrease in the average diameter of the microcomposite filament, but a deterioration in its tensile properties. Higher spinning rates resulted in improved tensile properties due to increased orientation index of CNCs.