Thermal and biological properties of tin‐modified cellulosic material derived from cotton

Abstract

Abstract Thermal and biological properties of tin‐modified cellulose derived from cotton are described. The inception temperature of degradation for tin‐modified cellulosic products is inferior to that of cotton itself, but the heats of degradation in air are less than that of cotton consistent with the modified products being superior in this respect. Degradation of the modified materials in helium as monitored by coupled thermogravimetric analysis–mass spectroscopy shows that degradation occurs through a series of complex steps with the evolution of products characteristic of both the tin‐containing and cellulose materials. The tin‐modified cellulose was tested against five fungi using disk and protein assays. The fungi tested are typical and widespread, and these tests provide a good indication of the applicability of such products as retarders of fungi‐related rot and mildew. Most of the tested samples showed good inhibition of the tested fungi.