Production of alumina fibre through jute fibre substrate

• Published in: Journal of materials science 1990-02, Vol.25 (2B), p.1335-1343
• Main Authors: Patel, M, Padhi, B K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0022-2461; 1573-4803
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00585446

Alumina fibre has been produced using jute fibre as substrate material at temperatures < 1600 deg C in a reducing atmosphere. Processed jute fibre was chemically pretreatd by saturation with Al sub 2 Cl sub 6 x 12H sub 2 O, coked and then pyrolysed to obtain alumina fibre. Chemical pretreatment conditions have been determined by following weight loss measurements of the jute fibre at 0.1-0.6N solutions of NaOH, KOH, NH sub 4 OH, Na sub 2 CO sub 3 , K sub 2 CO sub 3 , HCl and acetic acid. The effect of heat treatment on the jute fibre and jute fibre + Al salt has been studied from 150-1600 deg C. Trace elements present (Fe sub 2 O sub 3 , SiO sub 2 , K sub 2 O, Na sub 2 O, CaO, MgO, ZnO, MnO, V sub 2 O sub 5 , P sub 2 O sub 5 , CuO) on heat-treated products have been determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Optical and scanning electron micrographs of representative samples showing growth mechanism are presented. The effect of Cu, Ni and Pt catalysts and fluxing agents such as K sub 2 O and Na sub 2 O in fibre formation has also been examined. Particle size and surface area analyses of intermediate and final products have been carried out. Changes in 2 theta values are plotted for various products from X-ray diffraction studies. It is conceived that the porous surface of cellulosic fibrils in the Jute fibre adsorbs the AlCl sub 3 molecules, which decompose to oxide and are gradually shaped to the fibrous form during the course of thermal treatment in a reducing atmosphere and due to the high surface area. Graphs, Photomicrographs, Diffraction patterns. 10 ref.--AA