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 u sing high concentration of NaOH. We tried to determine the correlation betw een morphological modifications and the adsorption abilities of cotton fibe rs using several methods: the analysis of microscope images of fibers by im age processing and the analysis of the electrokinetic surface properties wh ich express the adsorption behavior of fibers. The longitudinal images and cross-sections of native and modified cotton fi bers were analyzed and the parameters: form factor, wall thickness, cross-s ection area, fiber diameter, lumen area were calculated using image process ing. The adsorption behavior of native and NaOH modified polymers was inves tigated by the determination of electrokinetic properties. The zeta potenti al (zeta) was calculated from streaming potential measurements as a functio n of pH and surfactant concentration in the Liquid phase. The results indic ate that only a correct combination between the morphological modifications and electrokinetic behavior of fibers leads to a desirable adsorption mech anism which causes a specific adsorption of components of the liquid phase.