Study of the stability of cellulose-holocellulose solutions in N,N-dimethylacetamide-lithium chloride by size exclusion chromatography

Solutions in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC)-LiCl were prepared from two diffe rent pulps (sulphite pulp from softwood and cotton linters) in different ag eing states. Degradation of the stirred solutions at 35-40 degreesC was obs erved by determining the molecular masses by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). We showed that under these conditions cellulose and holocelluloses a re degraded in DMAC-LiCl and that the rate of degradation is dependent on t he temperature and the initial state of degradation of the sample. Temperat ure and dissolution time are recommended to be reduced, especially for aged samples. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.