Cellulose thermal degradation

The present chapter focuses on the study of cellulose thermal degradation and of the involved reaction mechanisms, taking into accoimt all the parameters that may significantly affect it (such as heating rate, presence of humidity and metals). In this scenario, an extensive part will be specifically devoted to investigate the effect of different FRs currently used for improving cotton FR properties. 

Figure 14.1 Shafizadeh and Bradbury model for cellulose thermal degradation [6].

Factors Affecting Cellulose Thermal Degradation Charring/Volatilisation Competition... 

Effect of Crystallinity and Additives on the Thermal Degradation of Cellulose... 

Figure 5.2 Probable thermal degradation pathways for cellulose, according to Fengel and Wegener...

Chow, S.-Z. and Mukai, H.N. (1972). Effect of thermal degradation of cellulose on wood-polymer... 

Stamm, A.J. (1956). Thermal degradation of wood and cellulose. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 48(3), 413-117. 

The complex three-dimensional structure of these materials is determined by their carbon-based polymers (such as cellulose and lignin), and it is this backbone that gives the final carbon structure after thermal degradation. These materials, therefore, produce a very porous high-surface-area carbon solid. In addition, the carbon has to be activated so that it will interact with and physisorb (i.e., adsorb physically, without forming a chemical bond) a wide range of compounds. This activation process involves controlled oxidation of the surface to produce polar sites. 

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