Potential new material for optical fiber: Preparation and characterization of transparent fiber based on natural cellulosic fiber and epoxy.

In order to reduce the dependence on fossil energy products, natural fiber/polymer hybrid composites have been increasingly researched. The high price of the quartz optical fibers and glass optical fibers has greatly inspired researchers to engage in the research on polymer optical fibers. Herein, transparent fibers based on plant fibers were innovatively prepared for the first time by delignification and impregnating epoxy diluted with acetone. The epoxy improved the thermal stability of the fiber without deteriorating its mechanical properties, and also endowed the fiber with the property of transparency. The tensile strength of transparent fibers of three diameters were 34.5, 58.6 and 100.3 MPa, respectively and the corresponding Young's modulus reached 1.1, 1.7 and 2.3 GPa, respectively. In addition, the light-conducting properties of transparent fibers were displayed with a green laser and the fibers displayed good light transmission along the fiber growth direction. Transparent fibers are expected to be used in optical fibers because of their high thermal stability, good mechanical properties and light-conducting properties. • Using acetone as diluent skillfully solves the difficulty of epoxy impregnation in rattan fiber. • Transparent fibers based on natural cellulosic fibers were successfully prepared for the first time. • The composite fibers possessed high thermal stability, good mechanical properties and light-conducting properties. • The transparent composite fibers have the potential to be used as the core material of optical fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]