Optimization of Process Parameters for Bamboo Fiber Extraction by Steam Explosion

ABSTRACT

Bamboo fiber (BF) has emerged as a promising natural, environmentally friendly material for use in composite materials. The steam explosion process plays a crucial role in preparing BFs suitable for composites. In this study, the effects of solid–liquid ratio, explosion pressure, and explosion holding time on BF preparation were investigated by orthogonal experiments, and the structural and chemical changes occurring during the separation of BF were also investigated. The results showed that the combined method of alkali treatment and steam explosion successfully produced BFs with good morphology. The highest yield of fine fibers (39.07%) was obtained at a solid–liquid ratio of 2:1, explosion pressure of 2.2 MPa, and explosion holding time of 4 min. BFs obtained using the optimal values exhibited dispersed fiber bundles, partial removal of hemicellulose and lignin, and improved crystallinity. Furthermore, the hygroscopicity of BFs decreased, reaching a minimum of 15% under the optimal process conditions. The optimization of steam explosion parameters can help to improve the extraction efficiency of fine fibers for composites and promote the industrialization of BFs prepared by steam explosion.

摘要

竹纤维（BF）已成为复合材料领域中一种前景广阔的天然环保材料. 蒸汽爆破工艺在制备适用于复合材料的BFs中起着至关重要的作用. 本研究采用正交实验研究了固液比、爆破压力和保压时间对BF制备的影响，并研究了BF分离过程中发生的结构和化学变化. 结果表明，碱处理和蒸汽爆破相结合的方法成功地生产出了形态良好的BF. 在固液比为2:1、爆破压力为2.2 MPa、爆破保压时间为4 min的条件下，细纤维的产率最高（39.07%）. 使用最佳值获得的BFs为分散的纤维束，部分去除半纤维素和木质素并提高了结晶度. 此外，在最佳工艺条件下，BFs的吸湿性降低，最低可达15%. 蒸汽爆破参数的优化有助于提高适用于复合材料的细纤维的提取效率，促进蒸汽爆破法制备BFs的工业化.

KEYWORDS:

• Bamboo fibers
• pretreatment
• steam explosion
• optimization
• process parameter
• fiber yield

关键词:

• 竹纤维
• 预处理
• 蒸汽爆炸
• 优化
• 工艺参数
• 纤维产量

Highlights

• Solid–liquid ratio, explosion pressure, and explosion holding time have significant effects on the preparation of bamboo fibers by steam explosion.

• Optimization of the process parameters of steam explosion to improve the yield of bamboo fibers for composites.

• Characterization of the morphology, chemical composition, and physical and thermal properties of bamboo fibers prepared under different levels of steam explosion.

Acknowledgments

The work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China [No. 2023YFD2202100], the “Pioneer” and “Leading Goose” R&D·Program of Zhejiang [No. 2022C04019].

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this study.

Author contributions

Wenjuan Zhao: Investigation, Writing – original draft. Yanping Zou: Investigation, Writing – review & editing. Wenfu Zhang: Formal analysis, Conceptualization. Hong Chen: Validation, Conceptualization. Jian Zhang: Supervision. Anqi Wu: Data curation. Shaofei Yuan: Methodology, Supervision. Ying Zhao: Investigation. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China [No. 2023YFD2202100], the “Pioneer” and “Leading Goose” R&D·Program of Zhejiang [No. 2022C04019].