Mesopore Structure and Composition of Different Kapok Fibers

Abstract To make full use of domestic kapok fiber, the microstructure and composition of Quanzhou kapok were invetigated and compared with the popular Indonesia ceiba. FIB-SEM images showed the similar fine tube structures of both kapok fibers with the wall thickness and hollow ratios of 806.1 nm, 85.56% and 863.3 nm, 82.40% repectively. Mesopores with the average width of 48.247 and 38.758 Å were proved to be slit pores produced by the packing of porous lamellae. Quanzhou kapok was more superior in wall thickness, hollow ratio, specific surface area and pore size which would be better at oil adsorption. Both kapok fibers were primarily composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Quanzhou kapok had better thermostability and higher degradation speed than that of Indonesia ceiba. Inside the fiber, cellulose skeletons were in the arrangement of helical ribbon, while amorphous lignin and hemicellulose made up the fibrillar interval and cemented the fibers together. The interstice between the different compositions should be the mesopores. In this paper, the experimental results were discussed and analyzed in detail aiming at microstructure and composition distribution of kapok fiber were further investigated and modelled, which could provide reference values for the applications and product development process of domestic kapok fiber.