INFLUENCE OF WATER ON THE OH VALENCY RANGE IN DECONVOLUTED FTIR SPECTRA OF CELLULOSE

The system cellulose-water was studied by FTIR spectroscopy using KBr pellets dried and humidified for various periods of time.The spectra o f the OH and CH2 vibration range were deconvoluted.The intensity of th e various bands is influenced by water in varying degrees. The band po sitions, however, remain constant except for very high water contents. Drying improves the resolution of individual bands.The results sugges t that the attribution of various bands in the range 3200-3700 cm-1 to structural elements of the system cellulose-water as described in lit erature. be reconsidered.