Dissolution-swelling transition in cellulose fibers: The influence of water
Résumé
All natural and regenerated cellulose objects are difficult to dissolve while at the same time being hydrophilic. There is thus a balance between swelling and dissolution, especially when the dissolution power of a given water-based chemical can be varied. The purpose of this lecture is to investigate the transition zone where a swelling agent starts to be a solvent. The influence of the water content of various cellulose fibres on their swelling and dissolution properties will be presented. Two solvents will be used, N-methylmorpholine N-oxide and NaOH, both with controled amounts of water.