Abstract: The structure and properties of banana viscose fiber were characterized by sensory evaluation, SEM, FT-IR, copper-ammonia solution method, TG, DTG and DSC analyses in comparison with original banana fiber. The results showed that banana viscose fiber was clean, bright, soft, crimp and silky. It arranged vertically in parallel. Some grooves in the surface and irregular zigzags in cross section were observed. The characteristic groups of cellulose with absorption bands at 1734.79, 1425.75 and 1511.23cm^-1 almost disappeared. The polymerization degree of banana viscose fiber was 325. The initial decomposition temperature of banana viscose fiber in air was similar to banana fiber and total heat-release was about 975.5J/g higher than the later. The initial decomposition temperature of banana viscose fiber in nitrogen was 28℃ lower than original banana fiber and total heat-absorption was 36.42J/g higher than banana fiber. Banana viscose fiber belongs to cotton-type viscose staple fiber. The wet and dry breaking tenacities of banana viscose fiber were 0.95 and 2.26cN/dtex respectively. The purity and thermal stability were high. It is a good kind of textile material.

Key words: banana, viscose fiber, structure, property