Work

A novel, low-cost, and high-efficiency method for nitrocellulose synthesis from plasma-modified cellulose

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This research employed vacuum oxygen plasma processing to modify alpha-cellulose, enhancing its hydrophility, cross-sectional area, and surface roughness. The modified cellulose underwent subsequent nitration. This plasma treatment yielded several benefits, including reduced acid consumption, increased nitrogen content, enhanced nitrator and autoclave capacity, and improved quality of the resulting lacquer. The treatment induced physical changes, notably the formation of a nanoscale subsurface on the fiber surfaces. This alteration suggests increased surface energy and enhanced acid attraction to the cellulose. It should be noted that an acid-to-cellulose ratio of 1:60 is optimal for achieving a nitrogen content of 11.8-12.2%. However, the results demonstrated that treating cellulose surfaces with oxygen plasma enabled the production of nitrocellulose with an 11.8% nitrogen content using a lower acid-to-cellulose ratio (1:40). This improvement led to a 15% increase in nitrator capacity. Additionally, during the boiling phase, viscosity decreased, facilitating efficient acid removal from the fibers and thereby increasing autoclave capacity. The nitrocellulose-derived lacquer exhibited desirable characteristics, being both transparent and soft.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-90706-9

Authors: Ali Khalili Gashtroudkhani, Mohammad Dahmardeh Ghalehno, Saeed Soltan Abadi, Maryam Pouyani

Institutions: Zabol University, Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Cellulose Research Studies

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690

Funder: University of Zabol