FRACTAL ANALYSIS OF PORE MICROSTRUCTURES OF JUNCUS EFFUSUS

Abstract

It is found that the pore microstructures of Juncus effusus (JE), a yearly renewable and high-yield cellulose fiber with unique three-dimensional network structure and interconnected channels, exhibit the fractal characters. The cross-sectional images are measured by SEM and the fractal dimensions are calculated by the box-counting method. In order to reveal more details of JE, the multi-fractal spectrum method is employed to analyze its local features, which further shows the fractal structures. The results indicate that the fractal characteristics are obvious although JE is complex and disordered in structure. The present fractal study may have the potential and significance on fractal analysis of mechanical properties and transport properties of these natural fibers.