Photoinduced Formation of Cellulose Peroxides and Its Chemiluminescence

Abstract

Photoinduced formation of cellulose peroxides was examined at 30°C under air atmosphere. Filter paper with thickness of 0.2 mm was used as a cellulose sample. When the cellulose sample, which was pretreated with acetone solution of photoinitiators such as benzophenone and benzoin ethyl ether, was irradiated with light longer than 300 nm in water, peroxides were formed on cellulose part, while hydrogen peroxide was yielded in water part. Formation mechanism of the both peroxides, in which cellulose peroxide of α-hydroxy hydroperoxide type is formed, was proposed. The irradiated cellulose sample was subjected to measurement of chemiluminescence (CL) at 100°C under nitrogen atmosphere. It was found that the irradiated sample exhibites CL and a higher CL intensity is afforded for the irradiated sample with a higher peroxide content. Aldehyde groups were introduced into cellulose sample by oxidation with periodic acid. The resultant oxidized cellulose samples were subjected to the oxidation with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of methanesulfonic acid to prepare cellulose peroxide of α-hydroxy hydroperoxide type. It was observed that the cellulose peroxides exhibite CL curve similar to that of the irradiated sample and the CL intensity increases with increasing the peroxide content.