Some Observations on the Evaporation of Water from Cellulose

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Abstract
The influence of water on the deterioration of cellulose is discussed, with special reference to deterioration at the brown line which forms when water rises in cotton by capillary action. The brown, fluorescent, water-soluble material results from the evaporation of water at the cellulose-water-air interface. Oxycellulose of the mildly reducing acidic type is formed. The oxidation appears to occur in part at the primary hydroxyl group, with the formation of polyglu curonic acid followed by chain scission and formation of soluble, low-molecular-weight frac tions. The deterioration proceeds even at moderate temperatures and in diffused light indoors. The brown-line effect undoubtedly contributes significantly to the degradation of cotton during its production, processing, and use.

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