The NaOH-, fabrillation-, and cellulase- treated Tencel fabrics were charac
terized by weight loss, tensile strength, scanning electron microscopy (SEM
) analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, measurements of moisture regain and
dye adsorption (K/S value), degree of polymerization (DP), and copper numb
er. Weight loss increased and tensile strength decreased with increase in c
ellulase concentration and treatment time. At a similar weight loss, tensil
e strength retentions of the NaOH-pretreated samples were better than those
of the NaOH-nontreated samples because of more uniform enzymatic hydrolysi
s. SEM photographs showed more surface peeling and interfibrillar splitting
as enzymatic hydrolysis progressed. Crystalline structure and degree of cr
ystallinity were not much changed by cellulase treatment. As enzymatic hydr
olysis progressed, moisture regain and WS value increased slightly due to i
ncrease of specific surface area by fibrils. DP initially decreased as enzy
matic hydrolysis progressed and then leveled off. Copper number increased l
argely at an initial stage of degradation and then decreased gradually, The
NaOH-pretreated samples showed higher degree of crystallinity, DP, moistur
e regain, and WS value, but lower copper number than the NaOH-nontreated on
es. These results were attributed to extraction of short chain molecules in
the amorphous region during NaOH pretreatment and change of amorphous regi
on into the open-up structure. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.