Effect of chemical reagents on the fine structure of cellulose. Part IV. Action of caustic soda on the fine structure of cotton and ramie

An x‐ray study has been made of the changes in lateral order that take place on the treatment of cotton and ramie with different concentrations of caustic soda at 0 and 20°C. When mercerization conditions are reached it is found that there is an increase in lateral disorder in the fibrils. The x‐ray diagrams from samples treated in the higher concentrations of caustic soda reveal a residual diffraction effect that can be interpreted in terms of a special type of cellulose sheet. This result implies one extreme of lateral disorder that is present in the fine structure of these materials. Indication is given how these lateral disorder phenomena can affect reactivity.