Vaporization of bound water associated with cellulose fibres

Vaporization of bound water associated with cellulose fibres of natural (ce llulose I) and regenerated cellulose (cellulose II) was investigated by dif ferential scanning calorimetry in both dynamic and static conditions. Facto rs which affect water vaporization, such as sample handling, water content, heating rate, gas flow rate and temperature of holding were examined. It w as found that vaporization peak is split: into two peaks, one is at around 60 degrees C and the other is at around 120 degrees C, when the samples wer e measured by slow heating rate (<2.5 degrees C min(-1)) and Low gas flow r ate (<30 ml min(-1)). The high temperature vaporization peak is related wit h the structural change of amorphous chains of cellulose by desorption of b ound water. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.