Characterization of several modified jute fibers using zeta-potential measurements

zeta-potential measurements using the streaming potential method were perfo rmed on several differently modified jute fibers. The time dependence of th e zeta-potential measured in 1 x 10(-3) M KCl solution offers the possibili ty to characterize the water-uptake behavior and the velocity constant of t his process for almost all the jute fibers investigated. All the jute fiber s contain, as expected, dissociable acidic surface functional groups as cou ld be verified by measuring the pH dependence of the zeta-potential. Remark ably a peak (increase in the negative zeta-potential values) was detected w hile measuring the zeta-pH dependency. The origin of this peak is still que stionable; however, it could be observed that this peak is a function of th e degree of surface coverage of additional components, such as fats, waxes or grafted polymers, i.e. the accessibility of ether functions in the jute fiber surface.