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Polymer Structure
Polymer Structure
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (abbreviated DMA, Pressing: The swollen alkali cellulose mass is pressed
also known as Dynamic Mechanical to a wet weight equivalent of 2.5 to 3.0 times the
original pulp weight to obtain an accurate ratio of
Spectroscopy) is a technique used to study and
alkali to cellulose.
characterize materials. It is most useful for studying
the viscoelastic behavior of polymers. A sinusoidal
stress is applied and the strain in the material is Shredding: The pressed alkali cellulose is shredded
mechanically to yield finely divided, fluffy particles
measured, allowing one to determine the complex
called "crumbs". This step provides increased surface
modulus. The temperature of the sample or the area of the alkali cellulose, thereby increasing its
frequency of the stress are often varied, leading to ability to react in the steps that follow.
variations in the complex modulus; this approach can
be used to locate the glass transition temperature of Aging: The alkali cellulose is aged under controlled
the material, as well as to identify transitions conditions of time and temperature (between 18 and
corresponding to other molecular motions. 30° C) in order to depolymerize the cellulose to the
desired degree of polymerization. In this step the
Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) or Wide average molecular weight of the original pulp is
angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) is an X-ray diffraction reduced by a factor of two to three. Reduction of the
technique that is often used to determine the cellulose is done to get a viscose solution of right
viscosity and cellulose concentration.
crystalline structure of polymers. This technique
specifically refers to the analysis of Bragg Peaks
scattered to wide angles, which (by Bragg's law) Xanthation: In this step the aged alkali cellulose
crumbs are placed in vats and are allowed to react
implies that they are caused by sub-nanometer sized
with carbon disulphide under controlled temperature
structures. (20 to 30° C) to form cellulose xanthate.