Photodegradation of cellulose

N. David, Hony-Tang-Lie Gul Photodegradation of cellulose nitrateZZPoZww. photochem. 7 (1986), 299-310. 

Investigations into the effects of ultraviolet and visible light on carbohydrates have derived much of their impetus from the desire to understand the photodegradation of cellulosic materials, for such reactions are of commercial significance. An understanding of the photosensitized degradation of carbohydrates may also be of value in the study of processes which operate in the photosynthetic cycle. However, many of the investigations... 

For detailed examination of the mechanism of action of sensitizers, the derivatives of anthraquinone were selected by Holland and Cooper because of their structural relationship to the anthraquinonoid class of vat dyes which, as is well established, are accelerators of the photodegradation of cellulose. 

Photodegradation of cellulose acetate fibres by u.v.-irradiation in vacuo at 77 or 293 K resulted in deacetylation and chain-scission. ... 

HaiUand, O. (2005) Photodegradation of cellulose. Polym. Degrad. Stab.. 89, 64. 

Research on the weathering and mechanism of photo-degradation of cellulose is reviewed. It is pointed out that many factors such as dyes and delustrants, in the case of regenerated cellulose fibers, as well as the ambient atmosphere and the wavelength of the irradiation may affect the rate of degradation. Recent work on the photodegradation of oxidized cellulose is described. 

Natural Polymers and Cellulose Esters The photodegradation of painted wood panels has been found to fail at the wood paint interface 4 while acid treatment of methylcellulose accentuates its rate of photodegradation . Silk fibres have been found to form a roll-like structure after laser ablation with 193 nm light whereas the weatherability of lacquer coated leather has been investigated in a number of weatherometers . Poly(acrylic acid) up to 25% w/w has been found... 

Quinones are effective compounds for the photodegradation of polystyrene (105-107)tpolyisoprene (108.109) polypropylene (110)tpolyamides (1113>polyurethanes (97) and, cellulose (112). 

Photodegradation including fragmentation of lignin molecules and depolymerization of cellulose... 

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