Electron Beam Irradiation of Cellulosic Materials-Opportunities and Limitations
Journal article, 2013

The irradiation of pulp is of interest from different perspectives. Mainly it is required when a modification of cellulose is needed. Irradiation could bring many advantages, such as chemical savings and, therefore, cost savings and a reduction in environmental pollutants. In this account, pulp and dissociated celluloses were analyzed before and after irradiation by electron beaming. The focus of the analysis was the oxidation of hydroxyl groups to carbonyl and carboxyl groups in pulp and the degradation of cellulose causing a decrease in molar mass. For that purpose, the samples were labeled with a selective fluorescence marker and analyzed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) coupled with multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS), refractive index (RI), and fluorescence detectors. Degradation of the analyzed substrates was the predominant result of the irradiation; however, in the microcrystalline samples, oxidized cellulose functionalities were introduced along the cellulose chain, making this substrate suitable for further chemical modification.

carboxyl groups

molar mass

carbonyl groups

degradation

crystalline cellulose

fibrillated cellulose

Author

U. Henniges

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences

Merima Hasani

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Forest Products and Chemical Engineering

Wallenberg Wood Science Center (WWSC)

A. Potthast

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences

Gunnar Westman

Wallenberg Wood Science Center (WWSC)

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Organic Chemistry

T. Rosenau

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences

Materials

19961944 (eISSN)

Vol. 6 5 1584-1598

Subject Categories

Chemical Sciences

DOI

10.3390/ma6051584

More information

Latest update

8/24/2018