Manufacture and properties of cellulose/O-hydroxyethyl chitosan blend fibers

Cellulose/O-hydroxyethyl chitosan fibers (CHCFs) were manufactured by blending O-hydroxyethyl chitosan (HECS) xanthate with cellulose xanthate for spinning via the viscose process. The fibers were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). TEM photographs showed that HECS was mixed homogeneously with cellulose and oriented along the fiber direction. TGA results suggested that the decomposition temperature increased and the decomposition rate slowed down with HECS addition in the fiber. The physical, mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) were measured. Although the addition of HECS slightly reduced the dry and wet strength, the mechanical properties of the fibers are close to that of viscose rayon and CHCFs could fit the following textile processing. CHCFs exhibited good moisture absorption, antistatic property and antibacterial activities against E. coli.