A new method to visualize and characterize the pore structure of TENCEL® (Lyocell) and other man-made cellulosic fibres using a fluorescent dye molecular probe

The internal porous structures of the man-made cellulosic fibers Lyocell (TENCEL (R)), Modal, and Viscose fibers were visualized by applying fluorescence microscopy on fiber cross sections. The fiber pore structure was probed by the optical brightener Uvitex BHT, and the dye penetration depth was measured. The main differences in the pore structures of these three fiber types could be visualized. Only TENCEL shows a significant difference between dried and never-dried fibers. A fiber structure model of TENCEL was obtained, which discriminates three different porous zones with respect to dye diffusion kinetics. The results are discussed in relationship with the fiber physical and chemical properties. The dye penetration depth and kinetics in TENCEL fibers was found to be sensitive to the production and treatment conditions, in particular to changes in the pore system by drying, and following alkali swelling processes. The performance of surface-specific enzymatic peeling could also be observed. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.