Study on antibacterial activity of O-carboxymethyl chitosan sodium salt and spinnability of O-carboxymethyl chitosan sodium salt/cellulose polyblends in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide system

O-carboxymethyl chitosan sodium salt (NaCMCh), which has good antibacterial activity and solubility in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) after being treated by sodium hydroxide solution, was blended with cellulose NMMO/H2O solution to study the spinnability. The effect of molecular weight on antibacterial activity and solubility was discussed. The optimal range of molecular weights is from 8 x 10(4) to 1.9 x 10(5). The rheological properties of NaCMCh/cellulose polyblends in steady-shear were investigated. The results are presented using appropriate master curves for the temperature and concentration effects. The flow behavior index of the polyblends increase with increasing temperature and NaCMCh content. Apparent viscosity and zero-shear viscosity decrease, but the critical shear rate increases due to the addition of NaCMCh. The polyblends with NaCMCh display a lower structural viscosity index. Finally, the fibers were successfully spun using the lyocell process with NMMO/H2O and the fibers with NaCMCh exhibit good mechanical properties and moisture absorption. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.