Activation of dissolving cellulose pulp at low water content
Year: 2015
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Mercerisation of cellulose by alkali treatment is the first step in modifying natural cellulose fibres into many commercial cellulosic materials. During treatment, the fiber transforms into a reactive and highly swollen material called alkali cellulose (Na-Cell). In case NaOH is washed out of the cellulose structure, Na-Cell turn into Cellulose II upon drying (Langan et al. 2001). The aim of the present study was to gain a better understanding of the mercerisation of dissolving cellulose pulp at low water content. This has been done by spraying NaOH onto milled cellulose in a kneader, then washing the cellulose to neutrality to stop the reaction. After drying the transformation degree to cellulose II was analysed. The experiments include variation of temperature (30-60°C), reaction time (5 and 25 min), [NaOH] (45-55%), and NaOH:Cellulose molar ratio (0.8- 1.8). A combination of NIR Raman imaging and multivariate data analysis have been used to study the transformation degree. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time the influence of NaOH: Cellulose molar ratio on the mercerisation process has been studied in a single model together with temperature, reaction time and [NaOH]. Our results indicate that increased NaOH: Cellulose molar ratio has a significant positive influence on transformation degree of dissolving cellulose pulp at low water content.
Authors: Albán Reyes, Diana Carolina, Sundman, Ola, Schröder, Ulf, Karlsson, Leif, de Wit, Paul, Eliasson, Bertil
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7063931275