Physicochemical study of kapok fiber (Ceiba speciosa - Bombacaceae) and its employment in organic solvent and oil absorption

• Grant number: 11/20583-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2011
• End date: November 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Júlia Baruque Ramos
• Grantee: Flávia Maciel Ribeiro Costa
• Host Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Kapok is a natural fiber obtained from the seed of the kapok tree, Ceiba speciosa (formerly Chorisia speciosa). The fiber is light, soft, and hollow but easily breakable. Due to the difficulty of turning it into yarn, it is used for filling products such as mattresses and pillows. Besides being a hydrophobic fiber, it is important for filling products such as life jackets, it has an oleophilic character, allowing the absorption of oils and solvents and it is considered a sustainable material for the correction of polluted waters. The project aims to conduct a preliminary study of kapok fiber physicochemical properties, derived from Ceiba speciosa tree, and test oil and organic solvent absorption. Specific objectives are: 1) conduct a literature review of techniques and procedures employing kapok fiber; 2) perform collection fibers in the São Paulo region; 3) perform analysis of microscopy, moisture, regain, and combustion of obtained fibers; 4) organic solvent and oil absorption testing. Thus it is expected to determine whether the kapok fiber physicochemical properties have potential applicability for textile application, comparing these properties with textile fibers with recognized employability and determining their potential for absorbing oils and organic solvents.(AU)