Preparation of cellulose nanocrystals and their application in reinforcing viscose filaments

Rod-like cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were mechanically prepared from microcrystalline cellulose by colloid milling, and then the CNCs were used to reinforce rayon filament yarn by way of viscose blending and wet spinning. Compared with ordinary viscose filaments, the viscose filament yarn enhanced by CNCs had higher crystallinity, dry and wet tensile strengths, and better humidity release. When the addition amount of CNCs reached 1 wt%, the crystallinity of the viscose filament was obviously improved, and as a result, the wet and dry tensile strengths increased by 14% and 24%, respectively, showing excellent mechanical properties. The research work in this paper has a certain reference significance to improve the mechanical performance of viscose filaments, and more importantly, the CNC preparation process used in the work is simple and environmentally friendly. Graphic abstract