Supra-molecular structure and chemical reactivity of cellulose I studied using CP/MAS (sup)13 C-NMR

Abstract

In chemical pulping the components that keep wood cells together, mainly lignin are degraded and dissolved in order to obtain fibres for the dissolving pulp and paper processes. The aqueous solutions of pulping chemicals are transferred from the lumen through the cell walls towards the middle lamella and the lignin rich middle lamella, which actually binds the wood cell wall together is dissolved last. Cellulose I is the major component of dissolving pulp and constitutes the cell wall of plants and woods. It is the b-1,4-homopolymer of anhydroglucose. Maximising the commercial use of cellulose I dissolving pulp is dependent on developing a clear understanding of its chemical properties as a function of the structural characteristics. The a-cellulose classification is based on the amount of total hemicellulose and degraded cellulose removed during bleaching. A 96% a- cellulose sample will typically have low amounts of hemicellulose and degraded cellulose.