Near-infrared spectrum of cellulose: A new method for obtaining crystallinity ratios

Absorption bands in the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum of cellulose were correlated with crystalline and noncrystalline regions and used to derive a new crystallinity ratio. NIR crystallinity ratios of both natural and regenerated celluloses were measured and compared with x-ray diffraction values. The data indicates that the NIR crystallinity ratio may also depend upon crystallite size.