Distribution of Substituents along the Cellulose Chain on Cellulose Xanthate and Carboxymethyl Cellulose

The distribution of substituents of cellulose xanthogenate and carboxymethyl cellulose along the cellulose chains and therefore in relation to the molecular mass can be measured using size exclusion chromatography including a multi angle laser light scattering and mass detection for determining the molecular mass of the derivative assisted by an UV- detection for determining the xanthate groups and carboxymethyl groups after derivatisation, respectively. The results investigating cellulose xanthogenate show that the temperature used in dissolving xanthogenate and in ripening viscose influences the distribution of xanthate groups in a different way; but all steps processing viscose are connected with a loss in the degree of substitution in ripening the distribution of substitution additionally becomes more even. The investigated carboxymethyl cellulose revealed different distribution of carboxylic groups in dependence on the viscosity of the CMC.