INFLUENCE OF THE ALKALI CONCENTRATION ON THE FORMATION OF CELLULOSE-II - STUDY BY X-RAY-DIFFRACTION AND FTIR SPECTROSCOPY

The comparative study shows that the lattice transformation Cellulose I/II as evaluated by X-ray diffraction is-reflected in the CH2/OH vale ncy vibration range of deconvoluted FTIR spectra. The two methods supp lement each other. The phase transition begins with a NaOH concentrati on of 11-12% and is completed with one of 16.5%. Various changes in th e molecular and supramolecular structure of cellulose in this alkali c oncentration range were identified. The transformation process is dete rmined Hydrogen bonds by splitting and new formation of inter- and int ramolecular H-bonds. There is a direct correlation Chain conformation between decrease in crystallinity and H-bond splitting. The conformati onal variation in the cellulose molecules is the result of the interac tion between inter- and intramolecular H-bonds during chain rotation.