PREPARATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF MICRO-NANO CELLULOSE FIBRES ELECTROLESS NICKEL-PHOSPHORUS (Ni-P)/nano-SiC HOLLOW COMPOSITE COATINGS.

Hollow composite coatings were prepared on the surface of cellulose fibres by a simple electroless Ni-P/nano-SiC approach. The metal coated extent, dispersion extent of micro/nano cellulose fibres and crystalline structure of Ni-P/nano-SiC composite coatings were investigated. The homogeneous hollow composite coatings and metal coated extent of micro/nano cellulose fibres were improved with increase in concentration of nano-SiC in the coatings, and the ideal composite coatings were obtained within the range of 0.2 to 0.35 g (0.6 g/l) nano-SiC in the solution bath. The metallisation for cellulose fibres enhanced the dispersion extent of micro-nano cellulose fibres. A uniform coating, consisting of the hollow coating on cellulose fibres surface, could be obtained. At the same time, metallisation did not damage the original structure and surface functional groups of the cellulose fibres. The concentration of nano-SiC, ultrasonic time, ultrasonic power and cellulose concentration had a direct influence on the metal coated extent on the surface of cellulose fibres. The coated extent, dispersion extent and crystalline structure of metallisation cellulose fibres would exhibit ideal characteristics. Here, the concentration of cellulose fibres, ultrasonic time, ultrasonic power and the concentration of nano-SiC were 1.2 g/l, 120 min, 960 W and 0.6 g/l, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]