Change in crystallinity upon heterogeneous acid hydrolysis of cellulose fibers

Abstract

Abstract The recently developed x‐ray method of crystallinity determination is applied to products of heterogeneous acid hydrolysis of cellulose fibers. Upon treatment of viscose rayon fibers with boiling 2.5 N sulfuric acid, the crystalline fraction is increased from 39 to 49% within half an hour, and remains constant upon prolonged treatment. Ramie does not show any change in percentage crystallinity when subjected to the same treatment. Its crystalline fraction is, however, transformed into cellulose IV. The observed changes in moisture regain of the hydrolyzed products are in line with the x‐ray results.