THE WETTING PROPERTIES OF GRAFTED CELLULOSE FILMS

The dispersive component of the surface free energy, gamma(S)d and the nondispersive interaction, I(SW)n with polar liquids were determined for cellulose, cellulose acetate and cellulose grafted with alkyl kete ne dimer (AKD). Gamma(S)d and I(SW)n were calculated in the dry state as well as the fully hydrated state by the two liquid contact angle me thod. Gamma(S)d was found to be independent of AKD coverage. I(SW)n wa s found to be highly dependent on AKD coverage and differed significan tly between the dry and fully hydrated states. Using the work of adhes ion as a criterion, it was postulated that in the dry state, the AKD m olecule renders the cellulose hydrophobic, and undergoes surface restr ucturing in the hydrated state leading to a hydrophilic surface.