Industrial Ramie Growing on Reclaimed Ion-Adsorption Rare Earth Elements Mine Tailings in Southern China: Defibration and Fibers Quality

Ramie plants (Boehmeria nivea) have been cultivated on ion-adsorption rare earth elements (REEs) mine tailings and showed a low ability to accumulate REEs, especially in the stems (ΣREE = 24 ± 17 mg kg−1) with higher concentration leaves roots 57 66 kg−1). individual fibers were isolated using three degumming processes: traditional alkali treatment (AT), steam explosion (SE) after neutral (SEN) or basic (SEB) impregnation. Cellulose-rich (> 80%) fine very amounts of non-cellulosic sugars (< 5%), REE concentrations ≈ 4–6 high mechanical strength (tensile 260–540 cN/fiber, breaking point 20–50 cN/fiber) produced. However, SE resulted more degraded cracks slightly affecting their tensile properties.