Surface characterization and adsorption abilities of cellulose fibers

The adsorption abilities of cotton cellulose fibers are very often modified by alkaline treatments in form of alkaline purification or mercerization using high concentration of NaOH. We tried to determine the correlation between morphological modifications and the adsorption abilities of cotton fibers using several methods: the analysis of microscope images of fibers by image processing and the analysis of the electrokinetic surface properties which express the adsorption behavior of fibers. The longitudinal images and cross-sections of native and modified cotton fibers were analyzed and the parameters: form factor, wall thickness, cross-section area, fiber diameter, lumen area were calculated using image processing. The adsorption behavior of native and NaOH modified polymers was investigated by the determination of electrokinetic properties. The zeta potential (zeta) was calculated from streaming potential measurements as a function of pH and surfactant concentration in the Liquid phase. The results indicate that only a correct combination between the morphological modifications and electrokinetic behavior of fibers leads to a desirable adsorption mechanism which causes a specific adsorption of components of the liquid phase.