Kapok fiber is a cellulose fiber, but because of high acetyl group ratio and hollow ratio, it is characterized by super hydrophobicity and ultra light weight. So it has different characteristics from general cellulose fiber. As a result, Kapok fiber has disadvantages that difficult to fabricate or spinning, nonwoven fabric. Thus, there are few commercialized examples.
The aim of this study was to improve th e color of whiteness by using NaClO and to improve the wettability by treating aqueous solution of gelatin with NaClO. NaClO treatment was performed by heating 1-5% NaClO at 1 : 100 in liquid ratio at 80℃ for 15 minutes, adjusting to neutral pH, and then drying. Gelatin aqueous solution was prepared by making 0.1-0.5% gelatin aqueous solution with NaClO treated kapok, stirring for about 1 hour at room temperature, washing with water and drying.
The hydrophilic properties of NaClO treated kapok was measured by drying rate test, using natural extract to evalute hydrophilicty, FT-IR analysis and SEM. Then, NaClO 1% treated kapok was treated by gelatin aqueous solution. The Hydrophilic properties of gelatin aqueous solution treated kapok was measured by SEM, drying rate test and using natural extract to evaluate the hydrophilicity.
The higher the concentration of NaClO, the more lignin was reduced in FT-IR, SEM, but the degree of surface damage and strength was increased. Through the drying rate test method, it was found that the excessive amount of NaClO reduced the moisture content in the fiber, so the hydrophobicity should be reduced with a small amount of NaClO, such as 1%. It was confirmed that the gelatin aqueous solution treatment had a higher moisture content than the NaClO treatment by the drying rate test method and the evaluation of the hydrophilicity through the natural extract was also. SEM also confirmed that the fiber was thickened due to the swelling properties of the gelatin, and it is believed that this would prevent the decrease in strength. FT-IR was confirmed that an amide group peak was formed in the 0.1% gelatin aqueous solution treated kapok. Through this, the peptide bond is formed on the surface of the kapok, so that the dyeability and the absorbability were improved.
Through the above experiments, the treatment of 1% NaClO and 0.1% gelatin aqueous solution can be expected to be commercialized in the future with a simple process.