Photochemical degradation of cellulose material

Cellulose has been irradiated by ultraviolet light. The degradation was followed viscometrically and by weight loss measurements. The changes in the degree of Polymerization and weight of the irradiated material indicated that the degradation is random and follows first order kinetics. It is suggested that chain scission is the primary process yielding glucose and oligosaccharides. Gas chromatography of the volatile products indicated the presence of acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, methyl formate, acetone, methanol, ethanol, methane and ethane which have not been reported in earlier studies. These compounds could result from further degradation of glucose and oligosaccharides formed during the initial chain scission process.