Cross linking condensation polymerization of rayon fiber

Abstract EN

The degree of cross linking condensation polymerization of rayon molecule H-(C6H10O5)-OH under argon atmosphere is a function of temperature in the range (200–230)°C with liberation of 10 %, 10.5 %, and 10.9 % water respectively from the fiber weight.

Elemental analyses show increasing of carbon % on the expense of hydrogen and oxygen percents in the same order.

Above 230 °C self-carbon dioxide is generated.

The fiber resulted from the polymerization shows fire resistance and insoluble in sulfuric acid which is in opposite behavior to the untreated fiber.

Also treated fiber shows color change from white → yellow → brown → black depending on temperature degree and duration of heating with smooth and oily surface appearance due to the new bonding system and more close rayon molecules upon polymerization, accompanied with what is called chemiluminescence phenomenon.

Polymerization under nitrogen atmosphere shows early liberation of carbon dioxide gas beside water due to the presence of oxygen even in trace amount in the nitrogen gas which attacks the rayon molecules at the above temperature.