analysis DSC analysis was carried out for untreated, 1%, and 5% alkali treated fibers. In a typical experiment ∼10–15 mg sample wasplaced in a small aluminum pan covered with a lid tightly crimped around the edge. It was then transferred into the METTLER Toledo DSC cell and heated ranging from 25◦C to 200◦C at a heating rate of 10◦C/min.