What are the outstanding performances of cellulose fiber in terms of hygroscopicity?
Publish Time: 2024-12-10
Cellulose fiber stands out in the field of fiber materials for its outstanding hygroscopicity and shows many outstanding performances.
Cellulose fiber has a unique chemical structure and microscopic morphology, which is the basis of its good hygroscopicity. There are a large number of hydroxyl (-OH) groups on its molecular chain. These hydrophilic groups are like tiny "hygroscopic tentacles". When the air humidity is high, water molecules can form hydrogen bonds with hydroxyl groups and be adsorbed by the fiber. For example, cotton, as a typical cellulose fiber, has a moisture regain of 8% - 10% in an environment with a relative humidity of about 65%, which can absorb a considerable amount of water and store it inside the fiber.
From the microscopic structure of the fiber, cellulose fiber has porosity and a large specific surface area. These pores and rough surfaces provide abundant attachment sites and diffusion channels for water molecules. When the ambient humidity changes, water molecules can quickly diffuse, penetrate and be adsorbed in the pores and surface of the fiber. This enables textiles made of cellulose fiber to respond quickly to changes in environmental humidity, absorb sweat emitted by the human body or water vapor in the surrounding air in time, and keep the skin surface dry and comfortable. For example, during exercise, the human body sweats a lot. When wearing cellulose fiber clothing, the sweat will be quickly absorbed and diffused by the fiber, and will not stay on the skin surface for a long time, thereby effectively reducing the stuffiness and discomfort caused by sweat accumulation, allowing the body to maintain a good heat and moisture balance.
Compared with many synthetic fibers, cellulose fiber has a more obvious advantage in hygroscopicity. Synthetic fibers such as polyester fibers have poor hygroscopicity due to their tight molecular structure and lack of a large number of hydrophilic groups. Under the same environmental conditions, the moisture regain of polyester fibers is usually only about 0.4%. This results in the sweat produced by the human body being difficult to absorb and dissipate when wearing synthetic fiber clothing, which can easily make people feel damp and sticky, and may also generate static electricity in a dry environment. Cellulose fiber can avoid these problems well, providing users with a more comfortable wearing experience whether in the humid rainy season or in a dry indoor environment.
In summary, cellulose fiber has excellent hygroscopicity due to its abundant hydrophilic groups, porous microstructure and large specific surface area, making it a popular fiber material in the textile field, bringing people a comfortable and healthy wearing and use experience.
