Abstract
Abstract
In order to improve the characters of carrageenan fibers, two different process methods were presented in this study. Dopes prepared directly from Chondrus extraction by Route A─adding NaOH after Chondrus extraction─or Route B─using NaOH solution to extract Chondrus and carrageenan fibers (Fibers A and Fibers B)─were obtained using the wet spinning process using barium chloride as the coagulant at room temperature. The properties of dopes were studied by dynamic light scattering and gel permeation chromatography. The properties of Fibers A and Fibers B were comprehensively studied by Fourier transform infrared, thermal analysis, scanning electron microcopy, and tensile testing. The results showed that carrageenan with a larger molecule weight in Dope A and Fibers A showed higher intensity, better morphology, and stable thermal properties.