Abstract
Egyptian cotton waste fibres were purified by different chemical treatments and the effects of these treatments on certain characteristics of the fibres, in particular their reactivity towards xanthation, were investigated. Pulps produced by the soda process were not reactive towards xanthation. A mild sulphuric acid pre-hydrolysis treatment improved the reactivity and allowed a great reduction in the duration of the alkaline pulping. Higher concentrations of either sulphuric acid or sodium hydroxide during pre-hydrolysis-alkali pulping improved the physical characteristics of the fibres as well as their reactivity towards xanthation. Lowering the degree of polymerisation (DB) by intensifying the conditions of sulphuric acid pre-hydrolysis improved the reactivity towards xanthation. Hydrochloric acid was more effective than sulphuric acid in reducing the DP, yet it impaired the reactivity. This is due to increased re-crystallisation of cellulose.
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