Properties of cellulose-soy protein blend biofibers regenerated from an amine/salt solvent system

摘要

Blend biofibers with relatively high protein content were fabricated from cellulose and soy protein isolate (SPI) using an ethylenediamine-potassium thiocyanate solvent system. Due to the decrease in solution viscosity, the SPI loading was limited to a maximum of 40 %, considering the 100 % draw down ratio applied during fiber coagulation. The results obtained from chemical and X-ray analyses support the formation of interaction through mainly secondary bonding. Increasing the protein content resulted in fibers with slightly improved thermal stability. Electron microscopy images of the fibers revealed a homogeneous dispersion of protein without clear phase separation. The percent crystallinity and the tensile data revealed that the best compatibility was obtained for 20 % SPI ratio and that the fiber exhibited the same birefringence as control fiber. In addition, blending cellulose with protein resulted in fibers with faster biodegradation.