SORPTION OF WATER AND ALCOHOL VAPORS BY CELLULOSE

Abstract

Measurements were made of the amount of water vapor sorbed by beaten and unbeaten samples of kraft, unbleached sulphite and bleached sulphite wood pulps at relative vapor pressures ranging from 0 to 100%. Beating of the pulp made practically no difference to the degree of sorption at any relative vapor pressure. This indicated that beating caused no change in the hydration of the cellulose. Measurements were made of the sorption of methyl alcohol vapor by bleached sulphite, kraft and groundwood, and of the sorption of propyl alcohol vapor by bleached sulphite and cotton, all previously wetted with water and then dried. After sorption of alcohol, evacuation at room temperatures did not completely remove the alcohol. Measurements were also made of sorption of propyl alcohol by bleached sulphite and by cotton which had been dewatered by washing with propyl alcohol. The shape of the sorption curve was different for these samples, and the residual alcohol after evacuation was less. After a sample of cotton had been dried over phosphorus pentoxide in vacuo for a long period it was found to hold 0.35% of water by weight which could be removed by heating the cellulose to 100 °C. This was regained from the pentoxide on cooling the cellulose.The data are explained on the hypothesis that the crystalline submicroscopic elements of the cellulose structure are drawn together by internal tensile forces during the evaporation of the sorbed liquid, and that bonding between these elements may take place by the growing together of the crystal elements, leaving the structure internally stressed. On absorption, dissolution of these bondings takes place and the stresses are relieved as liquid enters the structure.