ISSN:
1572-8900
Keywords:
Cellulose
;
alkaline degradation
;
peeling off
;
degree of polymerization
;
kinetics
;
(gluco)isosaccharinic acid
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
,
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
Notes:
Abstract The degradation of cellulosic materials, differing mainly in the degree of polymerization and the number of reducing end groups, was studied under the alkaline conditions similar to those existing in a cementitious repository for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste (pH 13.3, T = 25°C). The kinetics of alkaline degradation (peeling-off reaction) were studied and the data analyzed by the model of Haas et al. [13]. The observed kinetic parameters for the propagation reaction and overall stopping reaction were compared with literature data. Although measured under different experimental conditions, literature data and data from this study show a consistent picture. Differences in the extent of degradation observed for the different cellulosic materials could be satisfactorily explained by differences in reducing end group content and, consequently, by differences in the degrees of polymerization. Besides the number of reducing end groups, the degree of amorphousness also plays an important role. The main degradation products formed under the experimental conditions used are α- and β-(gluco)isosaccharinic acid. This is in agreement with many other studies on alkaline degradation of cellulose. The two isomers are formed in roughly equal amounts.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1021894102937
