Potential new material for optical fiber: Preparation and characterization of transparent fiber based on natural cellulosic fiber and epoxy

Xiaoshuai Han; Linhu Ding; Zhiwei Tian; Yuanyuan Song; Ranhua Xiong; Chunmei Zhang; Jingquan Han; Shaohua Jiang

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.10.209

Potential new material for optical fiber: Preparation and characterization of transparent fiber based on natural cellulosic fiber and epoxy

Int J Biol Macromol. 2023 Jan 1:224:1236-1243. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.10.209. Epub 2022 Oct 29.

Authors

Xiaoshuai Han¹, Linhu Ding¹, Zhiwei Tian¹, Yuanyuan Song², Ranhua Xiong³, Chunmei Zhang⁴, Jingquan Han⁵, Shaohua Jiang⁶

Affiliations

¹ Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
² Joint Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Materials (NFU-UGent), Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University (NFU), Nanjing 210037, China. Electronic address: yuanyuan.song@njfu.edu.cn.
³ Joint Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Materials (NFU-UGent), Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University (NFU), Nanjing 210037, China. Electronic address: ranhua.xiong@njfu.edu.cn.
⁴ Institute of Materials Science and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China. Electronic address: cmzhang@usts.edu.cn.
⁵ Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. Electronic address: hjq@njfu.edu.cn.
⁶ Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. Electronic address: shaohua.jiang@njfu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36550788
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.10.209

Abstract

In order to reduce the dependence on fossil energy products, natural fiber/polymer hybrid composites have been increasingly researched. The high price of the quartz optical fibers and glass optical fibers has greatly inspired researchers to engage in the research on polymer optical fibers. Herein, transparent fibers based on plant fibers were innovatively prepared for the first time by delignification and impregnating epoxy diluted with acetone. The epoxy improved the thermal stability of the fiber without deteriorating its mechanical properties, and also endowed the fiber with the property of transparency. The tensile strength of transparent fibers of three diameters were 34.5, 58.6 and 100.3 MPa, respectively and the corresponding Young's modulus reached 1.1, 1.7 and 2.3 GPa, respectively. In addition, the light-conducting properties of transparent fibers were displayed with a green laser and the fibers displayed good light transmission along the fiber growth direction. Transparent fibers are expected to be used in optical fibers because of their high thermal stability, good mechanical properties and light-conducting properties.

Keywords: Epoxy; Light conduction; Manau rattan; Natural cellulosic fiber; Transparent fiber.

MeSH terms

Optical Fibers*
Polymers*
Tensile Strength

Substances

Polymers