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Evaluation of liquid ammonia treatment on surface characteristics of hemp fiber

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Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effects of liquid ammonia treatment on the surface characteristics of hemp fibers. We determined the elemental composition, morphological structure, roughness, and wettability of fiber surface using techniques such as electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and contact angle measurements. The lignin coverage on the hemp surface was calculated from the O/C ratio and the C1 content. The results show that lignin removal from the fiber surface was significantly greater than that from the fiber bulk. After the treatment, the O/C ratio of hemp fibers increased, and cellulose was exposed. The proportion of O2 species that contributed to formation of hydrogen bonds increased; this further increased the number of hydrophilic groups in the hemp fibers, improving the fiber wettability. The liquid ammonia treatment did not change the large dislocation structures in hemp fibers, but the removal of noncellulosic materials from the fiber surface increased the roughness of the fiber surface.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing University of Chemical Technology, No. 15, Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

    Jie Zhang & Jianchun Zhang

  2. The Quartermaster Institute of the General Logistics Department, CPLA, No. 28, Xizhimen North Ave., Beijing, China

    Jie Zhang, Hua Zhang & Jianchun Zhang

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  1. Jie Zhang
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  2. Hua Zhang
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Correspondence to Jianchun Zhang.

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Zhang, J., Zhang, H. & Zhang, J. Evaluation of liquid ammonia treatment on surface characteristics of hemp fiber. Cellulose 21, 569–579 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-013-0097-y

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