Effect of Wet and Dry Heat on Structure of Cellulose

SUMMARY Heating of cellulose (purified cotton and cuprammonium‐regenerated cellulose) under nitrogen in the presence of liquid water at 100° and at 150°C brought about a small amount of hydrolysis and some dehydration, the extent of which was directly proportional to the temperature. Heating in the absence of water caused a much greater amount of hydrolysis and dehydration, which was particularly marked at the higher temperature. Heating affects the amorphous regions of cellulose more than the crystalline regions; hence changes are more evident in the less crystalline regenerated cellulose than in purified cotton cellulose.