Influence of the degree of substitution and pretreatments on the surface structure of cellulose nitrate fibres

Summary Cellulose nitrate fibres of three different degrees of substitution (DS) were prepared by heterogeneous reaction. The fibre surfaces were observed in the scanning electron microscope. Apart from the DS the influence of pretreatments such as prenitration and boiling of the fibres prior to nitration was studied. The results reveal an interaction between the cell wall layers and the esterification and swelling capacity of the nitration medium. In all cases the DS was determined by the composition of the nitration medium. A pretreatment influenced the fibre surfaces after nitration. The peculiar role of the primary wall during esterification is emphasized.Supported by the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology (BMFT)