Acetylation of DMSO:PF solutions of cellulose

Three different techniques for esterifying solutions of cellulose dissolved in mixtures of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and paraformaldehyde (PF) were evaluated and are herein described. The evaluation and development of suitable synthetic procedures and the characteristics of the resulting acetylated cellulose are reported. Glacial acetic acid (glacial HOAc), acetyl chloride (AcCl), and acetic anhydride (Ac₂O) were compared as acetylating agents for solutions of cellulose in DMSO:PF, and it was demonstrated that mixtures of pyridine (Py) and Ac₂O rapidly acetylated the cellulose to yield beige to amber acetone-soluble cellulose acetates which were partially oxidized. These thermoplastic resins exhibited softening points between 80 and 110°C and thermal stabilities (in nitrogen atmospheres) similar to those of native celluloses (350 to 375°C). Degree of acetyl substitution (DS) values ranged from 0 to 2.0 as a function of acetylation time.     

Intrinsic viscosity-molecular weight relationships for poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) was prepared by solution polymerisation using carefully purified monomer. Fractions obtained using a precipitation technique were characterised by osmotic pressure and light scattering measurements. Values of intrinsic viscosities were obtained for the fractions in a range of solvents at 30°; viscosity molecular weight relationships were calculated. The values of the exponent α in the Mark-Houwink relation were generally found to be in the range 0.5–0.8, as expected for acrylic polymers.     

Molecular weight distribution of cellulose by fractionation in cadoxen solutions

The fractionation of cellulose in cadoxen solutions has been carried out by precipitation with aqueous propanol. The reproducibility of the method has been tested by means of parallel fractionations, and shown to be good, for both research and routine work. The fractionation data have been analysed using Beall and Schulz methods, and the results compared.     

Determination of intrinsic viscosity of polyelectrolytes in salt-free solutions

Comparative analysis of the methods for determination of the intrinsic viscosity of both neutral and polyelectrolyte molecules is made.     

Electric birefringence in solutions of cellulose carbanilate as a function of molecular weight

Electro-optical, dynamo-optical and hydrodynamic properties of solutions of some fractions of cellulose carbanilate (CC) in dioxan have been investigated. In a variable electric field, strong dispersion of the Kerr effect is observed, indicating the dipole-orientational mechanism of electrical birefringence and its relaxation. A comparison of relaxation times of fractions with their molecular weights and intrinsic viscosities indicates that the mechanism responsible for the Kerr effect is the rotation of the molecule as a whole in an electric field (a kinetically rigid molecule). The dependence of relaxation time on molecular weight (M) shows that, with increase in M, the conformation of the CC molecule changes from a slightly curved rod to a rigid Gaussian coil. The same conclusion may be drawn from a study on the dependence of the equilibrium value of the Kerr constant on M. In the Gaussian range (high M), the Kerr effect depends on the longitudinal (with respect to the chain) component of the dipole moment formed by the CO bonds in the glucoside ring. At low M, the transverse components of the monomer dipoles begin to play an important part in birefringence.     

Revisit to the intrinsic viscosity-molecular weight relationship of ionic polymers. 7. Examination of the Pals-Hermans dilution method with reference to the viscosity behavior of dilute aqueous dispersion of ionic polymer latex

The isoionic dilution method, which was proposed by Pals and Hermans, for linear ionic polymer solutions, was examined for the viscosity behavior of dilute aqueous dispersion of ionic latex [particle diameter, (0.120 ± 0.003) × 10^–6 m; surface charge density, 1.6 × 10^–6 C/cm²] in the presence of sodium chloride (5 × 10^–5 to 5 × 10^–4 M). Linear relations were obtained between the reduced viscosity and the latex concentration, when a parameter m, which appeared in the effective ionic strength introduced by Pals and Hermans, was chosen to be about 0.1. This finding on the latex system does not support that, at the salt and polymer concentrations employed, the dimension of linear macroions varies with changing effective ionic strength and it is kept constant along the isoionic dilution line. Brief discussion on the m value is presented. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

KCl/NaCl DMSO aqueous solutions dielectric spectra and cooperative interactions

The complex permittivity spectra of KCl/NaCl DMSO aqueous solutions were measured using microwave dielectric spectroscopy. Ion–water and dipole–water cooperative interactions are investigated by using a fractional relaxation process. Only about one cooperative relaxation was found during the cut-off relaxation time interval and the relaxation time increases with concentration increasing. Ions’ concentration dependent on effective number of water molecules in the shell around ions was calculated to reveal the interactions between K⁺, Cl^?, Na⁺ ions and DMSO molecules.     

The solubility of cellulose in liquid ammonia/salt solutions

The dissolution of cellulose in solutions of liquid ammonia and ammonium thiocyanate is discussed. Viscosity measurements on dilute solutions of cellulose in this solvent over a range of shear rates and shear stresses are reported. A four-bulb Ubbelohde suspended level viscometer was used for the measurements. Plots of log [η] versus log M gave Mark-Houwink coefficients of a = 0.95 and K = 6.686 × 10^?5 at 25°C for [η] as dl/g. The Bloomfield equation was used to calculate effective bond lengths (b) from limiting viscosity numbers of cellulose in solutions of ammonia/ammonium thiocyanate and Cuene, respectively. Results indicate that cellulose may have similar configurations in both solvents and also that the ammonia solutions are true cellulose solutions. Miscibility of the cell- ulose/ammonia/ammonium thiocyanate solutions with organic solvents, such as glycerol, is also reported. Further, a few interesting characteristics of the liquid ammonia/ammonium salt solutions, discussed briefly, are the convenient boiling point, the rheological behavior, and the relatively high concentration of cellulose obtainable.     

Nonalkali swelling solutions for regenerated cellulose

Swelling of regenerated cellulose in nonalkali aqueous solutions containing lithium chloride and urea (LiCl/urea/water) was examined. The effect of solution concentration on fiber properties was studied using microscopy, weight gain (swelling), and mechanical strength tests. The regenerated cellulose samples included lyocell fibers, viscose fibers, and fibers spun from alkali. The change in the mechanical properties of treated fibers was smaller than that of fibers treated with alkali to the same level of swelling. The degree of swelling in these solutions was related to the propensity for the formation of Li–cellulose coordination complexes, and these were enhanced by reductions in both urea and water content.     

以纤维素/AmimCl溶液制备纤维素气凝胶

利用离子液体AmimCl溶解结合超临界CO2干燥的方法制备了纤维素气凝胶材料.研究了不同初始浓度的纤维素溶液及其在不同凝固浴中制备的纤维素凝胶的流变行为,进一步考察了纤维素溶液浓度和凝固浴种类对纤维素气凝胶材料结构的影响.结果表明,随着初始纤维素溶液浓度的增大,气凝胶的孔结构逐渐致密,比表面积随之减小;凝固浴的组成对纤维素气凝胶的结构也有较大影响.采用适当的制备条件,可以制备出高比表面积的纤维素气凝胶材料.对纤维素气凝胶的热性能进行了表征,结果表明所得到的气凝胶材料具有较好的热稳定性和较高的炭残余含量.     

Rheology and gelation of cellulose/ammonia/ammonium thiocyanate solutions

Liquid crystalline solutions of cellulose in an ammonia/ammonium thiocyanate solvent will form thermoreversible gels at temperatures below 30°C. These gels are of interest both for processing the cellulose/ammonia/ammonium thiocyanate system and because they have an unusual structure, containing neither crystalline nor covalently bonded crosslinks. Although these gels contain neither crystalline nor covalently bonded crosslinks, the dynamic rheological behavior of the system at the gel point was found to be the same as for gels with covalent or crystalline crosslinks with a loss tangent, tan δ, independent of frequency. The kinetics of the gelation process was monitored via dynamic elastic modulus, G′. All samples revealed an exponential increase in G′ with time during gelation, very different from that observed in covalently bonded or crystalline crosslinked systems. Measurements of the loss tangent enabled precise determination of the gelation time for these systems as a function of cellulose concentration and temperature. We found the gel time to be inversely related to cellulose concentration and directly related to temperature. The strong dependence of gel time on these parameters offers a windows of spinnability that can be tailored for processing high modulus cellulose fibers. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The effect of water on cellulose solutions in DMAc/LiCl

The solution state of cellulose in the system N,N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl) depends on various factors such as cellulose concentration, provenience (cotton, hardwood, softwood) and chemical history (pulping, pretreatment, bleaching) of cellulose, LiCl concentration, activation method, dissolution conditions (time, shaking), and water content. In particular the influencing of the latter has been intensively investigated in our present studies. Working in anhydrous conditions is not practicable for routine size exclusion chromatography (SEC) analysis. Especially in solutions diluted to SEC levels (0.9 wt% LiCl), an aggregation induced by water was observed. Depending on the time of dissolution and on the amount of water, changes in the solution state were observed. In some cases the amount of aggregates increases within a few minutes. This is reflected by a time-dependent increase in the scattering intensity and quantitatively proved by an increase in the aggregation peak in the calculated intensity distributions. With less soluble pulps, traces of water (lower than 0.01 M) can already suffice to induce and promote aggregation. To disturb a “good” stock solution, the concentration of water must be higher than 0.05 M. The aggregates formed correspond to the model of the fringed micelle.     

Dilute solutions of nylon 12—II. Relationship between intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight

Samples of poly(12-dodecanelactam) (polylaurolactam, nylon 12) with $\text{M}$_n 1 × 10³?33 × 10³ were prepared. Polymerizations initiated with water or with lauric acid proceeded under conditions for minimum changes in end-group concentration. Values of $\text{M}$_n were calculated from the end-group content and $\text{M}$_n from light scattering in the mixture m-cresol/60 vol% of 2.2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanol. From measurements of intrinsic viscosity in m-cresol, the relationship [n] ? $\text{M}$_n was established in the given range of $\text{M}$_n. The relationship [n] ? $\text{M}$_w for $\text{M}$_w from 3.3 × 10³ to 125 × 10³ has been established.     

Phase transitions in solutions of hydroxypropoyl cellulose and cyanoethyl cellulose

LC phase transitions in mixtures of cyanoethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose with different solvents have been studied by the cloud point and polarization microscopy methods and polarization photoelectric measurements. It has been found that, as the solvent polarity is decreased and the molecular mass of a polymer is increased, boundary curves delimiting the regions of isotropic and anisotropic solutions shift to the region of lower concentrations.     

Determination of molecular weight distribution of cellulose by conversion into tricarbanilate and fractionation

Two samples of cellulose (molecular weight 2.97 × 10⁵ and 1.25 × 10⁵) were transformed into carbanilates (CTC) which were then fractionated by the elution method at a constant composition of the acetone-water elution mixture with the column temperature gradually increasing from ?30°C to 30°C, and by the GPC method in acetone and tetrahydrofuran. Tetrahydrofuran appeared to be a more suitable solvent. The molecular weights of fractions obtained by the elution fractionation were determined by the light-scattering method in tetrahydrofuran. The width of fractions was determined by the GPC method (average M _w/M _n = 1.37); the [η] values and the Mark-Houwink constants (K = 5.3 × 10^-3, a = 0.84) for tetrahydrofuran at 25°C were determined. The calibration curve for the GP method was constructed by means of the fractions thus obtained; it was demonstrated that the universal calibration curve according to Benoit can also be used. It was demonstrated that the molecular weight distribution of cellulose can be conveniently determined by conversion into CTC followed either by the elution fractionation (for preparative purposes) or by fractionation by the GPC method (for analytical purposes).     

Calculated phase diagrams for cellulose/ammonia/ammonium thiocyanate solutions in comparison to experimental results

Flory's lattice theory for rigid rod molecules and Kuhn chains is used to calculate phase diagrams for cellulose/ammonia/ammonium thiocyanate solutions. Persistence length values measured by light scattering and reported previously are used as rod length values. Variations in the phase diagram based on varying rod length/solvent composition and cellulose molecular weight are explored. Spinodal curves are calculated in a region of the phase diagram predicting phase separation between two anisotropic solutions. Finally, calculated phase diagrams are compared to published data for the system. Discrepancies between theory and data may be accounted for by soft interactions between cellulose molecules and solvent which are not incorporated into the lattice theory.     

A molecular mechanism of solvent cryoprotection in aqueous DMSO solutions

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in aqueous solution is widely used for the preservation of biological tissues under freezing conditions. DMSO and other agents are believed to act colligatively to depress the freezing point of water and, importantly, to promote the vitrification of water to prevent its crystallisation and the ensuing damage arising from the formation of intracellular ice. However, there has been no direct evidence of the precise effect of these agents on the vitrification properties of water. Here we report direct computational evidence, using molecular dynamics annealing simulations carried out within the experimentally inaccessible region in supercooled water, of a broadening of the glass transition of water, corresponding to the formation of a stronger glass in aqueous DMSO solutions. These findings provide insight at the molecular level into the mechanism of solvent cryoprotection by suggesting that the resulting thermodynamic stability of the glassy state of water reduces the probability of its nucleation and the subsequent formation of ice as the temperature is decreased.     

Rapid dissolution of cellulose in LiOH/urea and NaOH/urea aqueous solutions

Rapid dissolution of cellulose in LiOH/urea and NaOH/urea aqueous solutions was studied systematically. The dissolution behavior and solubility of cellulose were evaluated by using (13)C NMR, optical microscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), FT-IR spectroscopy, DSC, and viscometry. The experiment results revealed that cellulose having viscosity-average molecular weight ((overline) M eta) of 11.4 x 104 and 37.2 x 104 could be dissolved, respectively, in 7% NaOH/12% urea and 4.2% LiOH/12% urea aqueous solutions pre-cooled to -10 degrees C within 2 min, whereas all of them could not be dissolved in KOH/urea aqueous solution. The dissolution power of the solvent systems was in the order of LiOH/urea > NaOH/urea > KOH/urea aqueous solution. The results from DSC and (13)C NMR indicated that LiOH/urea and NaOH/urea aqueous solutions as non-derivatizing solvents broke the intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonding of cellulose and prevented the approach toward each other of the cellulose molecules, leading to the good dispersion of cellulose to form an actual solution.     

Phase transitions in cellulose solutions. The kinetics of precipitation of cellulose from diluted cadoxen solutions

Solutions of cellulose (degree of polymerization: 296 ± 16) in tris(ethylenediamine)cadmium(II)hydroxide-ethylenediamine-water (cadoxen), 1.015% (weight per volume) were diluted 1:1.5 with water. The ensuing isothermal precipitations were followed dilatometrically at temperatures ranging from 27.50 to 48.45°C. The precipitation data were characterized by a positive temperature coefficient. They generally conformed to a one-dimensional nucleation rate law; the Avrami exponents were close to unity. Alternatively, they fit a first-order reaction rate expression with respect to cellulose concentration. The low crystallinity of the precipitated cellulose leads to the interpretation of the kinetics in terms of the dissociation of a cellulose-cadoxen complex, rather than phase separation, as the rate-determining step. The nucleation rate law suggests a one-dimensional nonrandom cooperative chemical process, while the first-order rate law suggests a random process.     

Polymer-solvent effects in cellulose urethane and methyl cellulose urethane solutions

The polymer-solvent interaction was studied for two similar cellulose derivatives in the semi-dilute concentration range by static and dynamic light scattering. The trisubstituted 3-chlorophenyl carbamate (3Cl-CTC) and a mixed trisubstituted derivative with methyl groups (degree of methyl substituents: DS _Me = 1.6–1.7)combined with the abovementioned 3-chlorophenyl carbamate groups filling the still open positions at the cellulose backbone were synthesized, fractionated and characterized according to standard methods. Different kinds of associations, entangled clusters with a rod-like shape on one side and entanglement networks on the other side, exist in semi-dilute dioxane solutions caused by different polymer-solvent interactions. These quite different associations lead to either a liquid crystalline or a gel-like state upon increase of concentration.