Novel fibers prepared from cellulose in NaOH/urea aqueous solution

Novel regenerated cellulose fibers have been successfully spun from the cellulose dope in NaOH/urea aqueous solution, which could rapidly dissolve cellulose. The fibers possess circular cross-sections as well as relatively high molecular weight, and a crystallinity index with cellulose II family crystal structure, leading to good mechanical properties. This technology is simple, cheap, and environmentally friendly, promising to substitute for viscose rayon production having hazardous byproducts.