The Water-Absorbing Nanostructure of Tencel® (Lyocell) Fibers as the Basis for Function, Comfort in Wear and Wellness

Abstract

In the experience of textile consumers, the special comfort in wear of textiles made from cellulosic staple fibers, traditionally from cotton, is known for many applications. The main advantages of TENCEL® fibers compared to cotton are explained here by the different fiber structure, leading to higher water uptake and a different distribution of water in the fiber. In TENCEL® fibers, the water is absorbed into a nano-sized structure made up of nanofibrils and nanopores in a very orientated arrangement. The outstanding features of TENCEL® textiles are found in water transport, humidity buffering, the reduction of microbial growth purely by physical means, avoiding electrostatic charge, and very good skin sensorial properties (by the combination of smooth surface and high water uptake), leading all together to enhanced comfort in wear. Recent research has contributed objective findings to the issue why wear comfort in textiles from hydrophilic cellulosic fibers is often better compared to textiles from hydrophobic synthetic textiles.