The layer disorders defect in coir fiber under thermal and chemical treatment

Natural coir fibers, subjectd to thermal treatments in the range of 0oC to 200oC and alkali treatment with 5% to 30% concentration w/w, have been used in the present investigation to determine the interlayer variability of the cellulose planes (020), (110) and (110). Among the equatorial reflections (110), (110) and (020), the extent of variability is found to be more with the proportion of such affected planes less for (020) reflection in the native cellulose at lower temperature while at higher temperature (110) and (110) become more affected by variability defect. (110) and (1 10) planes are more affected also with alkali treatment.