The application of alginate fibers is limited by relatively low mechanical properties. Herein, a self-reinforcing strategy inspired by nature is proposed to fabricate alginate fibers with minimal changes in the wet-spinning process. By adapting a coagulation bath composing of CaCl and ethanol, the secondary structure of sodium alginate (SA) was regulated during the fibrous formation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMaterial reinforcement commonly exists in a contradiction between strength and toughness enhancement. Herein, a reinforced strategy through self-assembly is proposed for alginate fibers. Sodium alginate (SA) microstructures with regulated secondary structures are assembled in acidic and ethanol as reinforcing units for alginate fibers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFabricating alginate fibers of high strength and toughness remains a great challenge because of the difficulty in improving both strength and toughness simultaneously. Herein, this work reported the hierarchical assembly of sodium alginate nano-helix and its potential application as a new reinforcing unit for alginate fibers. Contributed from the hierarchical structures of α-helix, β-sheet and tertiary helical alignment of nanofibrils, nano-helix improved the tensile strength of fibers with enhanced modulus, and prolonged elongation through unravelling the tertiary structures.
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