Structure of Ramie Treated by Liquid Ammonia

The morphology and supermolecular structures of the scoured/bleached ramie and scoured/bleached/liquid ammonia treated ramie were studied by means of scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, reverse gel permeation chromatography, etc. The results indicate that liquid ammonia treatment of the scoured/bleached ramie leads to a smoother surface, a lower crystallinity, partial crystal transformation from celluloseⅠto cellulose Ⅲ, a decrease in the volume and cumulative surface area of the larger micropores and an increase in those of the smaller ones in the fiber.