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High-strength cellulose fibres enabled by molecular packing

Author

Listed:
  • Kaiqing Yu

    (Nankai University)

  • Chao Li

    (Nankai University)

  • Wenhui Gu

    (Nankai University)

  • Meilin Wang

    (Nankai University
    China Pharmaceutical University)

  • Jiatian Li

    (Nankai University)

  • Kai Wen

    (Nankai University)

  • Yicheng Xiao

    (Nankai University)

  • Shiyong Liu

    (Nankai University)

  • Yan Liang

    (Inner Mongolia University of Technology)

  • Wenjin Guo

    (Nankai University)

  • Weiqiang Zhao

    (Nankai University)

  • Jie Bai

    (Inner Mongolia University of Technology)

  • Dongdong Ye

    (Anhui Agricultural University)

  • Yutian Zhu

    (Hangzhou Normal University)

  • Meifang Zhu

    (Donghua University)

  • Xiang Zhou

    (China Pharmaceutical University
    Inner Mongolia University of Technology)

  • Zunfeng Liu

    (Nankai University)

Abstract

Developing high-performance bio-based fibres is highly desirable for improving the sustainability of materials. Cellulose is one of the most abundant bio-derived feedstocks to fabricate such materials. However, the fabrication of high-strength macro cellulose fibres is challenging due to the difficulty in obtaining ordered packing of cellulose molecular chains and nanocrystals in the macro-fibres. Here we develop a draw spinning/de-acetylation method to prepare cellulose fibres with highly ordered molecular packing that incorporates high strength in the obtained fibres. Specifically, a fibre draw spun from well-dispersed cellulose triacetate solution was de-acetylated to generate cellulose fibres, which were then twisted to spirally align the molecular chains. The resulting fibres exhibited mechanical strength of 3.08 GPa and toughness of 215.1 MJ m−3, much higher than existing fibre materials. This work paves the way to obtaining high-performance bio-based fibres.

Suggested Citation

  • Kaiqing Yu & Chao Li & Wenhui Gu & Meilin Wang & Jiatian Li & Kai Wen & Yicheng Xiao & Shiyong Liu & Yan Liang & Wenjin Guo & Weiqiang Zhao & Jie Bai & Dongdong Ye & Yutian Zhu & Meifang Zhu & Xiang Z, 2025. "High-strength cellulose fibres enabled by molecular packing," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 8(4), pages 411-421, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:8:y:2025:i:4:d:10.1038_s41893-025-01523-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-025-01523-x
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