Liquid absorbent bamboo fiber foams: Towards 100% ligno-cellulosic menstrual absorbent pads
Traditional menstrual absorbent pads typically combine cellulose fiber fluff pulp with non-biodegradable, petroleum-based superabsorbent polymers (SAPs). To eliminate the need for SAPs, this study explores foaming as a method to create a highly porous lignocellulosic fiber network capable of storing...
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Published in: | Bioresources Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 9036 - 9048 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , |
Format: | Journal Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Raleigh
North Carolina State University
10-10-2024
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Traditional menstrual absorbent pads typically combine cellulose fiber fluff pulp with non-biodegradable, petroleum-based superabsorbent polymers (SAPs). To eliminate the need for SAPs, this study explores foaming as a method to create a highly porous lignocellulosic fiber network capable of storing large amounts of fluid. Bamboo fibers were chosen due to their high lignin content, which is expected to help maintain the structural integrity of the porous network during liquid absorption and preventing collapse compared to 100% cellulose fibers. The bamboo fiber foams demonstrated remarkable porosity and superior absorbency compared to commercial pads, but they exhibited lower water retention when subjected to compression. Refining the fibers and incorporating microfibrillated cellulose offer promising opportunities to enhance water retention. |
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ISSN: | 1930-2126 1930-2126 |
DOI: | 10.15376/biores.19.4.9036-9048 |