Identification of Ramie Single Fiber Surface Topography Influenced by Solvent-Based Treatment

The effects of alcohol, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone solvent-based treatment on surface topography of ramie single fiber are investigated. In this study, the average of specific porous volume and specific surface area of ramie single fiber are determined to interpret the effects of the treatment quantitatively using Brunauer-Emmet-Teller surface area method. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy is applied directly to the fiber to detect the differences of molecular group function in the fiber surface. Qualitatively, scanning electron microscopy was also provided. The result shows that the solvent treatment could improve surface topography to gain matrix penetration when utilizing the fiber into polymeric composite material.