Interaction of cellulose with small molecules. Glycerol and ethylene carbonate

✍ Scribed by Eric Wellisch; Lamont Hagan; Leon Marker; Orville J. Sweeting

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1960
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 583 KB
• Volume: 3
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-8995
• DOI: 10.1002/app.1960.070030910

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The equilibrium moisture content of films softened with hygroscopic glycerol or nonhygroscopic ethylene carbonate was determined as a function of softener concentration at 15, 35, 65, 81, and 93% R.H. and compared to the hygroscopicity of unsoftened film and of the pure softeners at the same concentrations. The difference in water content assumed to be caused by interaction between softener and cellulose was calculated in moles of water per mole of softener and per mole of cellulose. A quantitative measure of softener‐cellulose interaction at low and high relative humidities is thus obtained. Ethylene carbonate shows a negative interaction and seems to function only as an inert cushion between cellulose chains, while glycerol interacts with cellulose. This interaction increases with decreasing moisture content (at lower relative humidities) and with increased softener concentration. The softener‐cellulose interaction is a necessary condition for proper softening.