THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF COTTON CELLULOSE TREATED WITH SELECTED SALTS

Thermal decomposition of untreated and treated cotton fabric was perfo rmed in oxidative and inert atmospheres using TGA-FTIR. Cotton fabric samples treated with selected alkali, alkaline earth and other inorgan ic salts are compared and contrasted to untreated and acid-washed samp les. Cations and anions were varied. Sample weight loss with temperatu re and decomposition products depend on the type of treatment. Cations of alkali metals impart a different decomposition route compared to a lkaline earth or transition metal cations.