Laser surface treatment of regenerated cellulose fiber

Effects of the excimer laser irradiation on regenerated cellulose fibers we re investigated. The surface structure change was remarkable only when the ArF laser was applied. Small pores and fibrils were observed on the fiber s urface at the high fluence irradiation. In some cases, several cracks were observed inside the fiber. The fiber structure change was strongly dependen t on fluence and number of pulses. XPS analysis indicated an increase of ca rbonyl groups and removal of CO and CO2 on the fiber surface. Concerning th e fiber properties, the tensile strength lowered, and the moisture content was improved a little. Those property changes could be explained by the bre akage of intermolecular hydrogen bonding and that of the main chain of the cellulose molecule. Increase of specific surface area and chemical structur e change suggest that irradiated fiber can be applied as a component for so ft composite materials.