Multifunctional Materials from Hemp Fibres Treated with Steam Explosion Technology

Abstract

Multifunctional materials include properties of smart material systems (e.g. smart textiles) as well as biologically synthesized materials (case of biomimetic). Natural wood, flax and hemp fibres are examples of such multifunctional materials – polymer composite systems. In current research attempt has been made to analyse hemp fibres treated with steam explosion (SE) technology. Disintegration of hemp fibres separated from non-retted, dew-retted and dried stems of hemp (‘Purini’) by alkali treatment and steam explosion (SE) were investigated. An average intensive SE in combination with the hydro-thermal and alkali after-treatment allows decreasing the diameter of hemp fibres and reduce the concentration of non-celluloses components, among them hemicelluloses, lignin, pectin, waxes and water