Effect of epichlorohydrin on the wet spinning of carrageenan fibers under optimal parameter conditions

• The optimum spinning parameters of carrageenan were obtained through orthogonal experiment method.
• The crosslinked carrageenan fibers were prepared under the optimal conditions using a custom-made wet spinning device.
• Structure and performance of carrageenan fibers were analyzed after processing by epoxy chloropropane.
• The stability, necking phenomenon and strength property of modified fibers were studied.

Motivated by the extensive application of carrageenans, this work prepared carrageenan fibers via wet spinning. The optimum spinning parameters were explored by means of an orthogonal test. According to the results of tensile test, dope concentration, draw ratio, coagulation bath temperature, and coagulation bath concentration set to 9%, 1.2, 15 °C and 5%, respectively, were the optimum spinning conditions. These parameters were then applied to fabricate fibers treated with epichlorohydrin in a stretch bath. The result of tensile testing demonstrated a positive improvement in the intensity, and SEM showed obvious necking phenomenon of the crosslinked carrageenan fibers. The structures and special groups were characterized with X-ray diffraction and FTIR, and the results indicated the regularity of the net structure and the increase in ether bond and methylene. In some, crosslinking reactions in optimum parameter conditions yield excellent fibers and thus present promising applications.