Recrystallization of Non-crystalline Cellulose

Abstract

The recrystallization behavior of non-crystalline(amorphous) cellulose, prepared by saponification of cellulose triacetate in non-aqueous medium, under treatments with water and aqueous so!ution of NaOH has been studied by means of X-ray diffraction method.
The type of ctystal lattice after recrystallization has been found to depend on the original lattice, although amorphous patterns are strictly similar; from Amor. I which is the saponification product of cellulose triacetate 1 (C. A.1) cellulose 1 is obtained when treating it with water and dilute solution of NaOH, and cellulose II is obtained when treating it with concentrated solution of NaOH, whereas from Amor. ff which is the saponification product of cellulose triacetate II (C. A. II)cellulose II is obtained under any of the above treatments.
These results are reasonably understood from the difference of chain conformation between cellulose I and cellulose II.