Gel‐permeation chromatography and cellulose. I. Effect of degree of nitration of cellulose on molecular weight distribution data

Consideration is given to the effect on gel‐permeation chromatographic (GPC) data of the extent of substitution in nitrated cellulose. GPC parameters for samples containing 13.55–13.81% nitrogen (14.14% corresponds to complete substitution, DS = 3) were hardly affected by this variation in substitution. Variations that were observed are considered to arise within the samples themselves. Experiments with low molecular weight organic iodides, nitrates, and hydroxyl compounds indicate longer chain lengths than actual; this is attributed to extensive solvation of the substituent groups. The very long chain lengths obtained for cellulose nitrate by the present GPC procedure may arise from such an affect.